[huggytree]

Im from WI and im going camping in Iowa soon. I checked a few places to see if my WI ccw works in Iowa and it does.

but im having a heck of a problem finding a copy of the actual Iowa CCW law to learn the rules...it just doesnt come up with Google no matter how many different ways i phrase it.

anyone have a link to the rules? and know if you can carry in State Parks?

 

[amorican88]

Found this, hope it helps....

Iowa Code § 461A.42

The use of firearms, explosives, and weapons of all kinds by a person is prohibited in all state parks and preserve



The Department’s position on state parks, preserves, and refuges is as follows: A person with a valid permit may carry their firearm; however the use of that firearm is prohibited. Use would be brandishing, displaying, bartering, striking with, and, most obviously, firing or attempting to fire the weapon.

 

[tualum0982]

middle of page 6. Basically says what the post above me says, with some more information. handgunlaw.us is a great website BTW!

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/iowa.pdf

 

[huggytree]

Iowa CCW is much weaker and more complex than here in WI...our CCW law is 25% shorter with not too many rules

it appears i can carry at a state park, so im safe....what i find stupid is how cities can be no carry zones......here in WI we have ONE law for the State, not 200 different ccw laws for every city.

every time i go camping i end up next to a piece of crap....Cops have hauled away a couple of them....lots of drunks.....mostly just noisy white trash though...when the cops come they turn down the music and when the cops leave they turn it back up again at 11pm-1am

i have given up on camping years ago because of the white trash...but i decided to do it again to give the kids a camping experience....i have never gone camping w/o a Glock under my pillow....its nice in 2012 that i can do everything legally

i will be driving through IL though....since there is no legal way for me to even transport my gun through their crap State Ill just keep it on my hip and dont stop for gas or bathroom breaks.

 

[Caver 60]

i will be driving through IL though....since there is no legal way for me to even transport my gun through their crap State Ill just keep it on my hip and dont stop for gas or bathroom breaks.

If you do it 'on your hip' you're just begging for extremely serious trouble with the law. Transporting through Illinois legally is no problem. Just go to the handgunlaw site given above and click on Illinois for specific information.

I do concur with the don't stop for anything but traffic control devices. Keep moving and don't spend any money in that state.

When I have to cross Illinois I play it super safe. I stop before entering that state, fully unload my carry pistol, lock the slide back, place it in a locked container in the trunk, and place the ammo in another locked container. I then proceed through the state obeying all traffic laws, and after exiting the state I stop reload, and re-holster.

 

[mc1911]

Permit holders are legal in parks and other places except where prohibited by federal law and some government buildings..

Some cities and counties are violating state law with resolutions and ordinances against legal carry.

Iowa has a preemption law that some minor officials are doing their best to ignore.

Check with the Iowa firearms coalition.

 

[Caver 60]

I think Federal law says it's legal to carry in parks, etc, IF STATE LAW PERMITS IT. I could be wrong?

 

[Sheepdog Scout]

You'll be good to go to carry in a state park in IA with a a Wisc. permit. There are some special rules about carry that are set forth and enforced by the IA DNR. Like carrying of a loaded gun while riding a snow mobile/ atv. Here's a few links to FAQs and DNR stuff.
http://www.iowacarry.org/iclaw.php

Though as someone above said. Some cities are trying to illegally go around state law. Another issue were all fighting.

-----
As to going through IL. DO NOT DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH ILLINOIS. If you do, you are carrying an ILLEGALLY concealed weapon and are 100% breaking IL law. You are taking a huge chance and if you're caught, are facing a world of IL hurt.

There is a legal way to take your gun(s) through IL. Stop before the border. Unload it. Lock it in your trunk. And pass through IL. This is 100% legal and you're covered by Federal transportation laws.
http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2010/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation.aspx
So travel through IL with it unloaded and completely out of reach. IE, the trunk.

Here's an FAQ from the IL State Police on the issue.
http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/1-154.pdf

 

[Sheepdog Scout]

I think Federal law says it's legal to carry in parks, etc, IF STATE LAW PERMITS IT. I could be wrong?

As a general rule for all parks. I'm not sure. This does apply with National Parks though. If you can legally carry in a state, then you can legally carry in a National Park. That certainly doesn't mean that there aren't special rules for parks though. This can vary by state.

 

[Smitty1283]

As an IL resident...I know the law fairly well. The gun needs to be unloaded.....and in a case made for a gun. It doesn't need to be locked nor out of reach. I carry loaded magazines in my glock range bag sitting in the passenger seat.....this is perfectly legal.


Now the only thing that im unsure of is the FOID issue. Since you're out of state you won't have a FOID card...maybe someone else could chime in on that.

DON'T CARRY THROUGH IL!!!

J


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