# Iowa Code § 724.2: Authority to possess offensive weapons > Iowa · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.2 ## Section - **Citation:** Iowa Code § 724.2 - **Heading:** Authority to possess offensive weapons - **Jurisdiction:** Iowa - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** IA Code / Title XVI / Chapter 724 / Section 724.2 ## Text (1) Any of the following persons or entities is authorized to possess an offensive weapon when the person’s or entity’s duties or lawful activities require or permit such possession: (1) (a) Any peace officer. (1) (b) Any member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard. (1) (c) Any person in the service of the United States. (1) (d) A correctional officer, serving in an institution under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections. (1) (e) Any person who under the laws of this state and the United States, is lawfully engaged in the business of supplying those authorized to possess such devices. (1) (f) Any person, firm or corporation who under the laws of this state and the United States is lawfully engaged in the improvement, invention or manufacture of firearms. (1) (g) Any museum or similar place which possesses, solely as relics, offensive weapons which are rendered permanently unfit for use. (1) (h) A resident of this state who possesses an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44, solely for use in the official functions of a historical reenactment organization of which the person is a member, if the offensive weapon has been permanently rendered unfit for the firing of live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition. (1) (i) A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon which is a curio or relic firearm under the federal Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C. ch. 44, solely for use in official functions in this state of a historical reenactment organization of which the person is a member, if the offensive weapon is legally possessed by the person in the person’s state of residence and the offensive weapon is at all times while in this state rendered incapable of firing live ammunition. A nonresident who possesses an offensive weapon under this paragraph while in this state shall not have in the person’s possession live ammunition. The offensive weapon may, however, be adapted for the firing of blank ammunition. (2) Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person is not authorized to possess in this state a shotshell or cartridge intended to project a flame or fireball of the type described in section 724.1. [C27, 31, 35, §12960-b4, 12960-b5, 12960-b7; C39, §12960.04, 12960.05, 12960.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §696.4 – 696.7; C79, 81, §724.2]83 Acts, ch 96, §122, 159; 97 Acts, ch 166, §3; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §206; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §78 ## Nearby sections - [Iowa Code § 724.1 Offensive weapons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.1.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.1A Firearm suppressors certification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.1A.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.1B Firearm suppressors penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.1B.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.1C Short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.1C.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.2 Authority to possess offensive weapons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.2.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.2A Peace officer defined reserved peace officer included.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.2A.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.3 Unauthorized possession of offensive weapons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.3.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4 Use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4A Weapons free zones — enhanced penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4A.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4B Carrying firearms on school grounds penalty exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4B.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4C Possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4C.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4D Carrying of dangerous weapons duty to cooperate reasonable suspicion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4D.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.4E Possession of dangerous weapons and loaded firearms by minors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.4E.md) - [Iowa Code § 724.5 Availability of permit not to be construed as prohibition on unlicensed carrying of weapons.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.5.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TXVI_C724_S724.2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.