Iowa Knife Laws

At a Glance:

It is unlawful to carry a “dangerous weapon” concealed beyond one’s dwelling, place of business, or real property in which he holds a possessory interest. With respect to knives, the statutory definition of a “dangerous weapon” includes both name and blade length elements. Any dagger, razor, stiletto, or switchblade, regardless of blade length, and any knife with a blade exceeding 5 inches in length, should only be carried openly if the individual holds a concealed weapon license.

Relevant statutes:

702.7. Dangerous weapon (definition)
724.1. Offensive weapons (definition)
724.4. Carrying weapons
724.4A. Weapons free zones-enhanced penalties
724.4C. Possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence
724.28. Prohibition of regulation by political subdivisions
724.32. County courthouse-weapon prohibitions

Restricted Knives:

Ballistic knives, which are classified as an “offensive weapon,” are forbidden.  It is a felony to simply possess or “own” a ballistic knife. Restrictions apply to any “dagger,” “razor,” “stiletto,” or “switchblade,” as well as any knife with a blade longer than five inches.

Concealed Carry:

Concealed carry of any “dangerous weapon” without a license is unlawful.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:

None noted.

Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations/Circumstances:

“Weapon-free zones” to include areas within 1000 feet of a school, 724.4A. Courtrooms and areas for judicial functions.  724.32. A political subdivision may regulate weapon possession on its property, provided it complies with the requirement of 724.28 (4).

Statewide Preemption:

Yes. 724.28. Prohibition of regulation by political subdivisions

Discussion:

Automatic Knives

“Switchblade” knives are included by name within the definition of “dangerous weapon.” The noun “switchblade” is not otherwise defined. In a 2012 case, unreported and accordingly lacking precedential value, captioned State v Winters applied the definition from the Federal Switchblade Act.  It is unclear whether a “gravity” or assisted opening knife would be considered a “dangerous weapon” and thus subject to concealed carry restrictions. There is no authoritative guidance on the issue.

Dangerous Weapon Defined

The portion of the § 702.7 definition of dangerous weapons as it pertains to knives provides:

Dangerous weapons include but are not limited to any . . . dagger, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, knife having a blade exceeding five inches in length, . . .

No definitions for “dagger,” “razor,” “stiletto,” or “switchblade” are provided. Blade length in excess of 5 inches is a separate category from the knife types named. Accordingly, for example, a “dagger” with a blade 4 inches in length is a “dangerous weapon.” There is no specified standard for blade length measurement.

Concealment

The test for concealment under Iowa law is whether the weapon is discernible by ordinary observation per the case of State v. Newsom,  563 N.W.2d 618 (1997), where the Iowa Supreme Court stated:

We discern the policy underlying the prohibition against concealed weapons to be based on the protection of those persons who may come into contact with a weapon bearer. If a weapon is not concealed, one may take notice of the weapon and its owner and govern oneself accordingly. No such opportunity for cautious behavior or self-preservation exists for one encountering a bearer of a concealed weapon.

The intent of the person carrying the weapon is not a factor. Rather concealment is based on the perspective of people who come into contact or proximity with him. In a state where the intent of the weapon bearer is an issue, one might argue that pocket clip carry, as opposed to placing a knife completely within a pocket, indicates a lack of concealment intent. This is not the case in Iowa.

The State v. Newsom Court further instructed that a weapon:

is not concealed simply because it is not discernible from a single vantage point if it is clearly discernible from other positions. It may be concealed, however, where it is discernible from only one particular vantage point.

Concealment, or what is “discernible by ordinary observation, is ultimately a fact question to be determined by a jury. Prior to deliberation, a jury in a trial where the charge is the possession of a concealed dangerous weapon in violation of § 724.4. Carrying weapons, the jury would be instructed, as to that precise issue, using the following pattern instruction:

 The State must prove the following elements of Going Armed With A Concealed Weapon:

1. On or about the _____ day of ____________, 20___, the defendant was armed with a (weapon).
2. The (weapon) was concealed on or about the defendant’s person.
3. The (weapon) was a dangerous weapon. A weapon is concealed if it is not “discernible by ordinary observation”. Concealment does not depend on a defendant’s subjective intent.

724.4 (4) exceptions

Subsection (4) of §724.4 provides various exceptions to the concealed carry general prohibition.

724.4 (4)(i) contains the exception for any individual:

  . . .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.

Note that the permit should be carried when one is carrying a dangerous weapon and should be “displayed” upon demand.

724.4 (4)(a) excludes the application of the restriction to:

A person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon in the person’s own dwelling or place of business, or on land owned, possessed, or rented by the person.

In the case of State v Erickson 362 N.W. 2d 528 (1985) the Iowa Supreme Court held that a sleeper cab did not qualify as a “dwelling,” notwithstanding the driver’s testimony that he slept in his truck tractor 95% of the time and kept his clothes, toiletries, tools, and a “stereo” therein. The Court stated:

As long as the vehicle is in transit, its principal function is to serve as a means of transportation, and it is not a place of residence.  We find that the truck was not transformed from a vehicle into a dwelling when the defendant drove onto the shoulder of the exit ramp to take a nap.

The Court also held that the truck was not his “place of business.” Accordingly, his conviction for possession of a revolver was affirmed.  We suggest that individuals such as the defendant in State v Erickson, who may desire to carry an automatic knife or a cutting instrument with a blade exceeding 5 inches, obtain a weapon license.

Law Enforcement/Military 

Exceptions to the concealed carry prohibition are provided for peace officers and, corrections officers as well as U.S. Military and National Guard members when possession of the weapon is in connection with their official on duty. These are found at §724.4 (4) (b, c, d, j, and k).                        

Consequences

Possession of an “offensive weapon” such as a “ballistic knife” is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine in an amount between $750 and $7,500.

The unlicensed concealed carry of any dagger, razor, stiletto, or switchblade or the unlicensed concealed carry of a knife having a blade exceeding eight inches in length is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of between $625 and $6,250. If the knife blade length is less than eight inches but more than five inches, it is a serious misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a fine between $315 and $1,875.  Carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence is also a serious misdemeanor.

Section 724.4A. Weapons free zones–enhanced penalties provides that where the violation occurs within a weapon-free zone, the defendant “shall be subject to a fine of twice the maximum amount which may otherwise be imposed for the public offense.” Accordingly, the fine for possession of a concealed automatic knife or knife with a blade longer than eight inches would be $12,500.

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Updated March 1, 2021, by Daniel C. Lawson