Highlights:
- You can do private gun sales in Iowa City.
- Background checks aren’t necessary for private gun sales in Iowa City.
- Iowa City no longer requires a permit for people buying handguns.
- Gun sale records aren’t mandatory for private sellers in Iowa City.
- Iowans who want a fuss-free way to dispose of guns for good money can go to Cash for Arms.
What Private Sellers Should Know about Gun Sales in Iowa City
Private Gun Sales Are Allowed in Iowa City
This means that you can sell guns in Iowa City even if you’re not an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee).
You only need federal licensing if you’re already trading enough guns to sustain a business. If you’re only selling the odd gun here and there, you can stay a private seller.
Background Checks Are Only Needed for FFL Gun Sales in Iowa City
If you’re an FFL dealer, all gun sales have to undergo background checks in Iowa City. If you’re a private seller, however, you’re not legally bound to run those checks.
People Must Be 18+ to Buy Long Guns and 21+ to Buy Handguns in Iowa City
In Iowa City, 18 and 21 are the minimum ages to buy long guns and handguns, respectively. There are a few exceptions, usually if a guardian or parent gives express consent.
Private Sellers Don’t Need to Maintain Gun Sale Records in Iowa City
Iowa doesn’t require gun sellers to keep records of their gun sales. That means private sellers in Iowa don’t need to document their transactions.
FFLs do, but that’s due to federal law and not Iowa/state law.
Iowa City Doesn’t Have Waiting Periods on Gun Sales
You don’t need to go through a waiting period to complete a gun sale in Iowa City. If you’re a private seller, you can exchange payment and the gun with your buyer in a single day.
You Don’t Need to Register Guns to Sell Them in Iowa City
Iowa doesn’t require registration for most guns. This means people selling guns in Iowa City don’t need to register guns either.
People Don’t Need a Permit to Buy Guns in Iowa City
Permitless purchase in Iowa City is fine for both long guns and handguns.
This has always been the case for buying long guns in the city. It’s different for handguns, though. Until 2021, permits were required to buy handguns in Iowa City. This was repealed when Governor Kim Reynolds signed HF756.
Some People Can’t Legally Buy Guns in Iowa City
The list of people who can’t legally buy guns in Iowa City is below:
- Anyone convicted of a felony
- Anyone adjudicated delinquent due to an act that would be a felony if they were adult
- Anyone subject to a domestic violence protective order
- Anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Anyone illegally using a controlled substance (or addicted to it)
- Anyone who’s been committed to involuntary treatment for mental illness
- Anyone with a dishonorable discharge from the US Armed Forces
- Anyone who’s renounced US citizenship
- Fugitives from justice
- Illegal aliens
Iowa City Observes Iowa’s Preemption Statute for Gun Laws
Cities, counties, and townships can’t create their own regulations for guns in Iowa. The only exceptions relate to restricting gun use or carry in specific buildings, mainly public ones.
Why is this important to you? It just means most of the laws that concern you as a gun seller are the ones at the state and federal level.
The Ways to Sell Your Guns in Iowa City
Option 1: Sell to Cash for Arms
Cash for Arms offers an easy way to sell guns in Iowa City if you want less work. We even offer sellers incredible prices based on the best market rates.
Start by going to our website. Submit your gun to us with photos and a description. Be sure it does your gun justice. The more accurate it is, the fairer our offer gets for you.
Next, you have to wait around an hour. We’ll appraise the gun for free. If you like our offer, we’ll also send you prepaid shipping labels so you can send the gun to us.
We pay you within 24 hours of it reaching our offices. No traveling or drawn-out haggling just to get a good sale price!
Tip: If you want to get paid ASAP, pick your payment method in advance.
Some buyers tell us which payment method they want only after we receive the gun. That means we still have to wait for them to respond before we send payment.
To skip that step, choose as soon as you send the gun. You can get a direct deposit, Zelle transfer, and even a check mailed to your Iowa City address.
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Option 2: Sell to a Private Buyer
Private buyers are the way to go if you want to sell a gun for the highest price possible. What they’re not good for is speed and convenience.
That’s because it takes time to find a suitable private buyer who’ll pay a good price. Waiting, screening, negotiation – all of that’s yours to deal with on this path.
To sell guns to a private buyer in Iowa City, advertise the gun first. Spread word at your local ranges and shooting clubs. Post it in online forums for gun enthusiasts in the state. You can even try local hunting forums like Iowa Whitetail.
Wait as long as you can to get offers. If possible, try to get at least 4 offers from eligible buyers before you choose one to accept.
Tip: A free way to learn how to price your gun is to check gun auctions online. GunBroker is a good option. Look up like models and check the price they sold for on the site.
Option 3: Sell to a Gun Shop or Pawn Shop
Both gun shops and pawn shops may buy used guns. Some won’t, though the bigger shops generally will (like Fin & Feather). We advise reaching out to each shop first to confirm it.
If a shop says they’re interested in buying used guns like yours, bring it to them. Unload it and clean it before leaving home, of course.
Each shop will appraise the gun and give you an offer for it. 6Go to as many shops as possible! This lets you gather offers so that you have options. Naturally, sell to the one with the best offer.
Tip: Pawn shops and gun shops have two things in common: they pay you up-front and they don’t pay a lot. If you have to choose from one of the two, choose gun shops. 9 times out of 10, they’ll pay more than pawn shops.
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Option 4: Sell at a Gun Show
Gun shows are decent places to sell guns too in Iowa City. With so many gun enthusiasts and dealers in a single venue, you’re likely to find takers for your gun.
Try talking to dealers and others at the show to see who’s interested. Make sure you’ve unloaded the gun and cleaned it beforehand.
Once you’ve found an offer you like, make sure the buyer’s not prohibited. Ask for ID to prove he’s of age and an Iowan, for example. After that, go ahead and do the sale.
Tip: Gun shows are intermittent, so this option won’t always be available. Try looking at gun shows outside of Iowa City to broaden your choices. Just make sure you’re still in the state of Iowa when searching.
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An Easy, Reputable Gun Buyer in Iowa City, IA
That concludes our guide to selling guns in Iowa City. You see that you’re not short of options. If what you’re really looking for is an easy experience, though, consider Cash for Arms.
We give Iowans a simple method for selling unwanted guns at great prices to an FFL. We also stay in touch from the first step to the last.
To get an offer for your gun, contact us now! You can also call us at (904) 977-5477.