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Open Carry

jonmcdonald

New member
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
2
Location
Ankeny, IA
So do i need a PTCW to open carry a long gun or handgun on my person in town or in my vehicle loaded, or how does that work? Whenever i try to search this on the internet i always find a bunch of political jargon :banghead: Can i get this permit if i am under the age of 21? Can i open carry the handgun under the age of 21 if it is given to me as a gift?
 
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jonmcdonald

New member
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
2
Location
Ankeny, IA
I have looked through that but it doesn't help me with my questions yano... thats great that iowa has an open carry handgun law but can i open carry a handgun being under 21 with the PTCW? and where do i go to take this class? Edit: I found a class(stupid question in the first place)
 
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Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
I have looked through that but it doesn't help me with my questions yano... thats great that iowa has an open carry handgun law but can i open carry a handgun being under 21 with the PTCW? and where do i go to take this class? Edit: I found a class(stupid question in the first place)

It's right there on the Iowa page: Minimum Age to OC 18
I am quite sure though that you still must be 21 years old for a concealed carry permit.
 

IA_farmboy

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Messages
494
Location
Linn County, Iowa, USA
Here's where you start, the horse's mouth:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/

They don't make it easy to provide a link to the section of law involved here with all the javascripting in the site. The part of Iowa law on the carry of weapons is in Iowa Code -> Statutes -> TITLE XVI CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE -> Chapter 724.

This part is probably the most relevant to your question, the bolded parts especially so.

Code:
724.4  CARRYING WEAPONS.
         1. [b] Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who
      goes armed with a dangerous weapon concealed on or about the person,
      or who, within the limits of any city, goes armed with a pistol or
      revolver, or any loaded firearm of any kind, whether concealed or
      not, or who knowingly carries or transports in a vehicle a pistol or
      revolver, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.[/b]
         2.  A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the
      person, if the person uses the knife in the commission of a crime,
      commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
         3.  A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the
      person, if the person does not use the knife in the commission of a
      crime:
         a.  If the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches in length,
      commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
         b.  If the knife has a blade exceeding five inches but not
      exceeding eight inches in length, commits a serious misdemeanor.
         4. [b] Subsections 1 through 3 do not apply to any of the following:
         a.  A person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon in the
      person's own dwelling or place of business, or on land owned or
      possessed by the person.[/b]
         b.  A peace officer, when the officer's duties require the
      person to carry such weapons.
         c.  A member of the armed forces of the United States or of
      the national guard or person in the service of the United States,
      when the weapons are carried in connection with the person's duties
      as such.
         d.  A correctional officer, when the officer's duties require,
      serving under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.
         e.  A person who for any lawful purpose carries an unloaded
      pistol, revolver, or other dangerous weapon inside a closed and
      fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to
      be concealed on the person.
         f.  [b]A person who for any lawful purpose carries or transports
      an unloaded pistol or revolver in a vehicle inside a closed and
      fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to
      be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment
      where the pistol or revolver will not be readily accessible to any
      person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.[/b]
         g.  A person while the person is lawfully engaged in target
      practice on a range designed for that purpose or while actually
      engaged in lawful hunting.
         h.  A person who carries a knife used in hunting or fishing,
      while actually engaged in lawful hunting or fishing.
         i.  [b]A person who has in the person's possession and who
      displays to a peace officer on demand a valid permit to carry weapons
      which has been issued to the person, and whose conduct is within the
      limits of that permit.  A person shall not be convicted of a
      violation of this section if the person produces at the person's
      trial a permit to carry weapons which was valid at the time of the
      alleged offense and which would have brought the person's conduct
      within this exception if the permit had been produced at the time of
      the alleged offense.[/b]
         j.  A law enforcement officer from another state when the
      officer's duties require the officer to carry the weapon and the
      officer is in this state for any of the following reasons:
         (1)  The extradition or other lawful removal of a prisoner from
      this state.
         (2)  Pursuit of a suspect in compliance with chapter 806.
         (3)  Activities in the capacity of a law enforcement officer with
      the knowledge and consent of the chief of police of the city or the
      sheriff of the county in which the activities occur or of the
      commissioner of public safety.
         k.  A person engaged in the business of transporting prisoners
      under a contract with the Iowa department of corrections or a county
      sheriff, a similar agency from another state, or the federal
      government.

Carrying a dangerous weapon under the age of 21 requires a professional permit which is still "may issue" under Iowa law. That means the sheriff can deny for any reason. The general rule of thumb is that you can get one but you have to tell a convincing story to the sheriff. A professional permit also only allows one to carry a dangerous weapon while actually on the job.

I hope this helps.
 

JD

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
75
Location
Central Iowa, USA
So do i need a PTCW to open carry a long gun or handgun on my person in town or in my vehicle loaded, or how does that work? Whenever i try to search this on the internet i always find a bunch of political jargon :banghead: Can i get this permit if i am under the age of 21? Can i open carry the handgun under the age of 21 if it is given to me as a gift?

You must be 21 to obtain a permit to carry weapons (Not a concealed carry permit) unless you need a permit for work related (professional permit) carry, armed guard, law enforcement etc.

You can not open carry in incorporated (city, town, etc.) limits without a permit.

You can go ahead and take the class before you turn 21, any NRA Basic Course, course taught by NRA Cert'd Instructors, LE instructors etc. can meet the requirements.

Once you have taken the class, and turn 21, you take a copy of your class certificate and go to the Sheriffs Office in the county where you're a resident. You turn in your paperwork, pay your $50 (more if an optional plastic permit is desired), they are supposed to have your permit to you within 30 days, if not your automatically approved.
 
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