Iowa legalized suppressor ownership in 2016, joining the majority of states that allow NFA items. This guide covers fingerprinting options for IA residents.
Iowa NFA Laws
Iowa allows all federally-legal NFA items (since 2016):
- ✓ Suppressors (silencers) - Legal (since 2016)
- ✓ Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs) - Legal
- ✓ Short Barreled Shotguns (SBSs) - Legal
- ✓ AOWs - Legal
- ✓ Machine guns (pre-1986) - Legal
Iowa adopted constitutional carry in 2021 and has become increasingly gun-friendly.
Where to Get Fingerprinted in Iowa
Des Moines Metro
- Polk County Sheriff - Des Moines, appointment usually required
- Dallas County Sheriff - Adel
- Warren County Sheriff - Indianola
- UPS Stores - Multiple Des Moines metro locations
Cedar Rapids / Iowa City
- Linn County Sheriff - Cedar Rapids
- Johnson County Sheriff - Iowa City
Quad Cities
- Scott County Sheriff - Davenport
- Muscatine County Sheriff - Muscatine
Sioux City Area
- Woodbury County Sheriff - Sioux City
DIY at Home
Self-fingerprinting is accepted in Iowa. Convenient for rural areas.
Converting to EFT Format
For ATF eForms electronic filing:
- Get fingerprinted on FD-258 card
- Photograph or scan your card
- Upload to SlapEFT
- Get your .eft file in minutes
Popular Iowa NFA Dealers
- Brownells - Grinnell (major distributor)
- Scheels - Des Moines, Cedar Falls
- Fleet Farm - Multiple IA locations
- Cabela's/Bass Pro - Council Bluffs
Iowa Fun Fact: Brownells, one of the largest firearms parts distributors, is headquartered in Grinnell, Iowa!
