Introduction
Over 749,000 Iowa residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Iowa reported 348 domestic abuse homicides from January 1, 1995 to March 31, 2021, 55% of whom died by firearms. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Iowa prohibits purchase and possession of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and persons subject to final domestic violence protective orders. Iowa requires removal of firearms and ammunition from persons subject to final domestic violence protective orders if they are found to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
