Iowa Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

What must an individual do to legally conceal carry a handgun in Iowa?

1. Purchase a handgun

2. Complete a firearms safety course

3. Obtain a Permit to Carry Weapons

4. Register their fingerprint with the state

The correct answer is: Obtain a Permit to Carry Weapons

To legally conceal carry a handgun in Iowa, an individual must obtain a Permit to Carry Weapons. This permit is essential because it grants the individual the legal authority to carry a concealed firearm in public. The process of obtaining this permit generally involves submitting an application to the appropriate authorities, which may include providing identification, background checks, and in some cases, proof of training or safety courses. While purchasing a handgun is a prerequisite for carrying a firearm, it is not sufficient on its own for conceal carrying. Completing a firearms safety course is also beneficial for responsible gun ownership and may be a requirement in some scenarios for obtaining the permit, but the primary legal requirement for conceal carrying is, in fact, the Permit to Carry Weapons. Registering fingerprints is not a standard requirement in Iowa for obtaining a permit, which is why it is not relevant to the question about conceal carrying.