Iowa Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam 2026 – Your Complete Guide to Mastering Firearms Safety and Compliance

When a firearm is purchased from a licensed dealer in Iowa, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is responsible for conducting the background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This federal system checks the buyer's criminal history and other records to ensure they are eligible to purchase a firearm.

The process involves the dealer submitting the buyer's information to the NICS, which then runs the necessary checks through multiple databases, including those related to criminal history, mental health records, and other disqualifying factors. If the check returns a "proceed" status, the sale can be completed; if it returns a "denied" status, the sale cannot proceed.

The other entities mentioned have roles in law enforcement and regulation but do not conduct the background checks directly in this context. The Iowa Department of Public Safety oversees state regulations, the local police department may handle specific investigations, and the ATF regulates federal firearms laws, but it is the FBI that specifically executes the background check for firearm purchases at licensed dealers.