Is a New Mexico Non-Resident Permit Valid in Iowa?

Why

• New Mexico does not issue carry permits to non-residents (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the us armed forces permanently stationed in nm and their dependents (nmsa 29-19-4(a)(2)). new residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a nm license within 90 days).

Iowa Code 724.11A: a valid permit or license issued by another state to any nonresident of Iowa is treated as a valid Iowa permit to carry (it cannot be used by Iowa residents and does not satisfy the permit-to-acquire requirement of 724.15).

Carry rules in Iowa

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Iowa, these rules replace the ones you know from New Mexico.

• No proactive duty-to-inform provision in Iowa Code ch. 724; the former duty to carry and show the permit on demand (724.5) was repealed by the 2021 permitless-carry law.
• Iowa sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Iowa allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Since July 1, 2021 a non-prohibited adult may carry a loaded handgun, open or concealed, in a vehicle without any permit.

Off-limits places in Iowa

• K-12 school grounds (Iowa Code 724.4B - class D felony; narrow exceptions for unloaded/secured firearms in vehicles)
• Courthouses and court-occupied areas (Iowa Judicial Branch supervisory order, not statute)
• Places where federal law prohibits firearms (federal buildings, post offices)

Frequently asked questions

Is a New Mexico non-resident permit valid in Iowa?

New Mexico does not sell permits to out-of-state applicants (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the US armed forces permanently stationed in NM and their dependents (NMSA 29-19-4(A)(2)). New residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a NM license within 90 days). For carry in Iowa, what matters is a permit you can actually hold — your resident permit, or a non-resident permit from a state that issues them.

Do I have to tell police in Iowa that I am carrying?

No proactive duty-to-inform provision in Iowa Code ch. 724; the former duty to carry and show the permit on demand (724.5) was repealed by the 2021 permitless-carry law.

Does Iowa limit magazine capacity?

Iowa sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Iowa without any permit?

Iowa allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does New Mexico issue non-resident carry permits?

No. New Mexico issues carry permits to residents only (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the US armed forces permanently stationed in NM and their dependents (NMSA 29-19-4(A)(2)). New residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a NM license within 90 days). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.