IOWA: Legal with Restrictions
Summary: The sale and possession of stun gun and Taser devices are legal in Iowa, except in Denison / Crawford County where they are illegal and are prohibited. Most people may purchase, openly possess, or use a nonlethal stun gun for self-defense without obtaining a permit. However it is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun or Taser on your person without a concealed weapons permit unless you are on your own property.
In Iowa, it is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun without a concealed weapons permit unless you are located on your own property. Peace officers, members of the armed forces, and correctional officers are exempt from this rule. It is an aggravated misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun without a concealed weapons permit. Penalties include a fine of $625 (and up to $6,250), up to two years in prison, or both. (Iowa Code § § 702.7, 724.4, 903.1.)
It is illegal to carry a stun gun (openly or concealed) with the intent to use the stun gun on another person, without justification. Anyone who displays, without justification, a stun gun in a threatening manner toward another is guilty of assault. Penalties range from a fine of $65 and up to 30 days in jail to a fine of $10,000 and up to ten years in prison, depending on the stun gun possessor’s intent and extent of bodily injury (if any) experienced by another person. (Iowa Code § § 702.7, 708.1, 708.2, 903.1, 902.9.)
Anyone who removes or attempts to remove a stun gun from a peace officer acting within the scope of his or her normal duty is guilty of disarming a peace officer. Disarming a peace officer is a Class D felony, punishable by a fine of $750 (and up to $7,500), up to five years in prison, or both. If the stun gun is discharged during the course of disarming the peace officer, it is a Class C felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 (and up to $10,000), up to 10 years in prison, or both. (Iowa Code § § 702.7, 708.13, 902.9.)
Anyone who possesses a stun gun while committing a burglary on an occupied structure in which no one is present is guilty of second degree burglary. Second degree burglary is a Class C felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 (and up to $10,000), up to 10 years in prison, or both. (Iowa Code § § 702.7, 713.5, 902.9.)
If you are a citizen in Iowa who is not in Denison / Crawford County and would like to purchase an electronic stun device, check out these Stun Guns and Tasers.
Please contact your local law enforcement or legal authority with any specific questions you may have to verify legality.
