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Iowa firearms statistics

How many guns Iowa makes and who makes them, the jobs and pay behind them, licenses, background checks, exports, hunting licenses and conservation money. Every figure comes from a federal source and keeps that source’s own period.

Newest data: FBI checks through August 2026 · ATF licenses, August 2026 · ATF production, 2024 · BLS jobs, 2025. How Iowa compares · U.S. statistics · Iowa directory

  1. 23,190firearms made in Iowa in 2024, 29th of 50 states and 0.2% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
  2. 1,456federal firearms license records, 22nd of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
  3. 222,692paid hunting-license holders, 33rd of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
  4. 185,566FBI background checks in 2025, 54.3% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
  5. 71private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $68,982 on averageBLS · 2025
  6. $12,112,654Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 38th of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
  7. $13.2 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from Iowa in 2025, across 5 product groupsCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in Iowa?

Plants in Iowa reported making 23,190 firearms in 2024, down 4.1% from 2023. That is 0.2% of U.S. production, 29th among the states. The high was 25,802 in 2020. [1] See gun manufacturers in Iowa for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in Iowa, 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 23,190 · 2023: 24,172 · 4.1% fewer

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report (AFMER), plants in Iowa, by calendar year. ATF withheld the state’s figures for 2022 and 1992–2003.

  • 23,190firearms reported by plants in Iowa for 2024, 0.2% of U.S. production; 24,172 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · IowaCite

What Iowa makes

Rifles were 21.5% of Iowa production in 2024.

  1. Rifles4,992 21.5%
  2. Pistols3,945 17.0%
  3. Revolvers37 0.2%
  4. Shotguns29 0.1%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. Each type adds up what Iowa plants reported.

Largest filings in Iowa, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. Iowa had 54 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of Iowa
1Lewis Machine & Tool CoEldridge · 46.4%Eldridge10,75546.4%
2Volquartsen Firearms Inc.Carroll · 26.7%Carroll6,19226.7%
3Brownells Inc.Grinnell · 18.6%Grinnell4,31418.6%
4Les Baer Custom Inc.Le Claire · 3.3%Le Claire7543.3%
5Brownells Inc.Montezuma · 1.3%Montezuma3041.3%
6Little Sioux Arms & Ammo LLCCherokee · 0.9%Cherokee1990.9%
7Derek's Armory, LLCWalford · 0.4%Walford880.4%
8Born To Hunt Firearms, LLCWest Liberty · 0.2%West Liberty520.2%
9Love Guns LLCGranger · 0.2%Granger480.2%
10Schuler Machine & Gun LLCAtlantic · 0.2%Atlantic470.2%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024 filings. A filing covers one plant, so it is not a company total.

Production by city

Each city’s figure adds up what the plants there reported.

  1. Eldridge10,764 2 filings
  2. Carroll6,192 1 filing
  3. Grinnell4,314 1 filing
  4. Le Claire754 1 filing
  5. Montezuma304 1 filing
  6. Cherokee199 1 filing
  7. Walford90 2 filings
  8. West Liberty52 1 filing

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. A filing’s city is where the plant is, not always where the company is based.

Show all 21 years
Firearms made in Iowa, in all and by type
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsRevolversShotguns
2024Firearms made23,190Rifles4,992Sum of 54 filingsPistols3,945Sum of 54 filingsRevolvers37Sum of 54 filingsShotguns29Sum of 54 filings
2023Firearms made24,172Rifles5,523Sum of 62 filingsPistols4,303Sum of 62 filingsRevolvers27Sum of 62 filingsShotguns17Sum of 62 filings
2022Firearms madeWithheldRiflesNot reportedPistolsNot reportedRevolversNot reportedShotgunsNot reported
2021Firearms made25,326Rifles5,113Sum of 47 filingsPistols3,034Sum of 47 filingsRevolvers3Sum of 47 filingsShotguns1Sum of 47 filings
2020Firearms made25,802Rifles5,220Sum of 38 filingsPistols3,981Sum of 38 filingsRevolvers3Sum of 38 filingsShotguns5Sum of 38 filings
2019Firearms made20,571Rifles5,545Sum of 30 filingsPistols3,026Sum of 30 filingsRevolvers1Sum of 30 filingsShotguns5Sum of 30 filings
2018Firearms made22,331Rifles5,027Sum of 26 filingsPistols3,037Sum of 26 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 26 filingsShotguns14Sum of 26 filings
2017Firearms made6,514Rifles2,201Sum of 24 filingsPistols2,992Sum of 24 filingsRevolvers22Sum of 24 filingsShotguns30Sum of 24 filings
2016Firearms made7,841Rifles2,222Sum of 23 filingsPistols4,107Sum of 23 filingsRevolvers5Sum of 23 filingsShotguns21Sum of 23 filings
2015Firearms made6,018Rifles2,074Sum of 21 filingsPistols3,669Sum of 21 filingsRevolvers2Sum of 21 filingsShotguns23Sum of 21 filings
2014Firearms made6,161Rifles2,538Pistols3,306Revolvers2Shotguns28
2013Firearms made8,747Rifles2,222Sum of 22 filingsPistols4,051Sum of 22 filingsRevolvers2Sum of 22 filingsShotguns15Sum of 22 filings
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in Iowa, in all and by type, 2004–2012
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsRevolversShotguns
2012Firearms made6,508Rifles1,878Sum of 16 filingsPistols2,890Sum of 16 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 16 filingsShotguns0Sum of 16 filings
2011Firearms made5,396Rifles2,027Sum of 14 filingsPistols3,322Sum of 14 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 14 filingsShotguns0Sum of 14 filings
2010Firearms made5,248Rifles1,672Sum of 8 filingsPistols2,579Sum of 8 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 8 filingsShotguns0Sum of 8 filings
2009Firearms made4,210Rifles2,137Sum of 5 filingsPistols2,073Sum of 5 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 5 filingsShotguns0Sum of 5 filings
2008Firearms made13,306Rifles10,542Sum of 6 filingsPistols2,194Sum of 6 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 6 filingsShotguns0Sum of 6 filings
2007Firearms made65Rifles64Sum of 5 filingsPistols1Sum of 5 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 5 filingsShotguns0Sum of 5 filings
2006Firearms made3,689Rifles3,607Sum of 4 filingsPistols82Sum of 4 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 4 filingsShotguns0Sum of 4 filings
2005Firearms made1,100Rifles1,022Sum of 1 filingsPistols78Sum of 1 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 1 filingsShotguns0Sum of 1 filings
2004Firearms made1,130Rifles1,015Pistols115Revolvers0Shotguns0
Cite a figure from this section (24)

How many people make firearms in Iowa?

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories makers (industry code NAICS 332994) in Iowa had 71 jobs at 9 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $68,982 a year. Jobs were highest in 2022, at 83, the first year BLS counted other ordnance makers too. [5]

Private employment in small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing, Iowa, 2006–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 71 · 2024: 72 · 1.4% fewer

Source: BLS county and state jobs counts (QCEW), Iowa, private employers. From 2022, BLS counts other ordnance makers in this industry too, so years on either side of the line are not compared. Years BLS withheld are gaps.

  • 71private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in Iowa at 9 establishments, paying $68,982 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · IowaCite
  • 0.28job concentration (location quotient): small arms manufacturing is a smaller share of Iowa jobs than of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $16,035,000shipped by 3 small arms plants with 47 employees and a $3,221,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332994Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

  1. Carroll County2 establishments
  2. Cass County1 establishment
  3. Linn County1 establishment
  4. Emmet County1 establishment
  5. Scott County1 establishment
  6. Louisa County1 establishment
  7. Obrien County1 establishment
  8. Winnebago County1 establishment

Source: BLS QCEW, private small arms establishments (NAICS 332994) by county, 2025. BLS publishes every county’s establishment count but withholds most county job counts.

Show all 20 years · jobs, pay and plants
Jobs and pay, 2025, private employers
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)
JobsSmall arms (332994)71
Average annual paySmall arms (332994)$68,982
Total wagesSmall arms (332994)$4,880,451
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)9

Source: BLS QCEW, 2025.

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)3
EmployeesSmall arms (332994)47
Value of shipmentsSmall arms (332994)$16,035,000
Value addedSmall arms (332994)Withheld
Annual payrollSmall arms (332994)$3,221,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census.

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Iowa
YearJobs
2025Jobs71
2024Jobs72
2023Jobs75
2022Jobs83
2021Jobs73
2020Jobs65
2019Jobs64
2018Jobs68
2017Jobs71
2016Jobs72
2015Jobs67
2014Jobs73
Earlier years, 2006–2013
Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Iowa, 2006–2013
YearJobs
2013Jobs84
2012Jobs75
2011Jobs61
2010Jobs39
2009Jobs40
2008Jobs25
2007JobsNot published
2006Jobs47
Cite a figure from this section (10)

How many federal firearms licenses are there in Iowa?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 1,456 license records in Iowa, 21 more than a year earlier. Of those, 1,057 are dealers and 311 are manufacturers. A record is one license, not one store, and one business can hold several. [2] License records are not storefronts: to find a store, see gun shops in Iowa.

Dealer and manufacturer license records in Iowa, January 2021 to August 2026 records

  • Dealers (type 01)
  • Manufacturers (type 07)

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, monthly lists. Months ATF did not publish are gaps, not zeros. ATF’s October and November 2025 lists came out during the federal shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), when ATF paused license renewals. Both are about 10% short in every state and license type, and the count recovers in December: licenses waiting on renewal were left off, not closed.

  • 1,456federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 7 listed types together; 1,435 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · IowaCite

License types, August 2026

  1. Dealers (type 01)1,057 72.6%
  2. Manufacturers (type 07)311 21.4%
  3. Pawnbrokers (type 02)44 3.0%
  4. Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)28 1.9%
  5. Importers (type 08)10 0.7%
  6. Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)4 0.3%
  7. Destructive-device importers (type 11)2 0.1%

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, August 2026. ATF’s public list leaves out collector (type 03) licenses, so they are not counted here. That does not mean there are none. ATF’s August 2026 list has no destructive-device dealer (type 09) records for Iowa. They are left out, not counted as zero.

Show all 68 months by type
License records in Iowa by type, by month
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)
August 2026All types1,456Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)1,057Manufacturer (07)311Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2026All types1,457Dealer (01)1,058Manufacturer (07)310Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2026All types1,454Dealer (01)1,057Manufacturer (07)309Pawnbroker (02)45Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
May 2026All types1,442Dealer (01)1,052Manufacturer (07)303Pawnbroker (02)45Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2026All types1,436Dealer (01)1,050Manufacturer (07)299Pawnbroker (02)45Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
March 2026All types1,431Dealer (01)1,050Manufacturer (07)295Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
February 2026All types1,422Dealer (01)1,045Manufacturer (07)291Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
January 2026All types1,427Dealer (01)1,050Manufacturer (07)291Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
December 2025All types1,420Dealer (01)1,044Manufacturer (07)290Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
November 2025All types1,371Sum of 7 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDealer (01)1,018Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listManufacturer (07)275Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listPawnbroker (02)40Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listAmmunition manufacturer (06)25Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listImporter (08)9Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device manufacturer (10)2Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device importer (11)2Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025All types1,325Dealer (01)986Manufacturer (07)262Pawnbroker (02)40Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)9Destructive-device manufacturer (10)1Destructive-device importer (11)2
September 2025All types1,431Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)1,058Manufacturer (07)286Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
August 2025All types1,435Dealer (01)1,062Manufacturer (07)283Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2025All types1,433Dealer (01)1,063Manufacturer (07)278Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)12Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2025All types1,440Dealer (01)1,070Manufacturer (07)279Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)12Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
May 2025All types1,447Dealer (01)1,076Manufacturer (07)280Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)12Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2025All types1,448Dealer (01)1,076Manufacturer (07)279Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)32Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
March 2025All types1,437Dealer (01)1,069Manufacturer (07)276Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
February 2025All types1,441Dealer (01)1,075Manufacturer (07)274Pawnbroker (02)43Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
January 2025All types1,448Dealer (01)1,079Manufacturer (07)274Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
December 2024All types1,448Dealer (01)1,080Manufacturer (07)273Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
November 2024All types1,451Dealer (01)1,085Manufacturer (07)271Pawnbroker (02)44Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Importer (08)13Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
October 2024All types1,454Dealer (01)1,087Manufacturer (07)270Pawnbroker (02)45Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Importer (08)14Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
September 2024All types1,452Dealer (01)1,085Manufacturer (07)270Pawnbroker (02)45Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Importer (08)14Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
License records in Iowa by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)
August 2024All types1,465Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)1,093Manufacturer (07)268Pawnbroker (02)48Ammunition manufacturer (06)34Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2024All types1,472Dealer (01)1,100Manufacturer (07)266Pawnbroker (02)48Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2024All types1,465Dealer (01)1,099Manufacturer (07)260Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
May 2024All types1,468Dealer (01)1,106Manufacturer (07)256Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2024All types1,471Dealer (01)1,108Manufacturer (07)257Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
March 2024All types1,472Dealer (01)1,109Manufacturer (07)258Pawnbroker (02)46Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
February 2024All types1,485Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,115Manufacturer (07)263Pawnbroker (02)46Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
January 2024All types1,491Dealer (01)1,119Manufacturer (07)264Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
December 2023All types1,495Dealer (01)1,121Manufacturer (07)266Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
November 2023All types1,499Dealer (01)1,123Manufacturer (07)267Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
October 2023All types1,498Dealer (01)1,124Manufacturer (07)264Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
September 2023All types1,501Dealer (01)1,130Manufacturer (07)261Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
August 2023All types1,497Dealer (01)1,130Manufacturer (07)258Pawnbroker (02)46Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2023All types1,502Dealer (01)1,134Manufacturer (07)257Pawnbroker (02)48Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2023All types1,506Dealer (01)1,141Manufacturer (07)255Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
May 2023All types1,511Dealer (01)1,151Manufacturer (07)251Pawnbroker (02)47Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2023All types1,517Dealer (01)1,157Manufacturer (07)249Pawnbroker (02)48Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
March 2023All types1,521Dealer (01)1,166Manufacturer (07)242Pawnbroker (02)50Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
February 2023All types1,520Dealer (01)1,171Manufacturer (07)237Pawnbroker (02)49Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
January 2023All types1,522Dealer (01)1,175Manufacturer (07)235Pawnbroker (02)49Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
December 2022All types1,530Dealer (01)1,181Manufacturer (07)235Pawnbroker (02)50Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
November 2022All types1,525Dealer (01)1,183Manufacturer (07)228Pawnbroker (02)51Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)2
October 2022All types1,522Dealer (01)1,184Manufacturer (07)226Pawnbroker (02)50Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
September 2022All types1,527Dealer (01)1,188Manufacturer (07)226Pawnbroker (02)51Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
August 2022All types1,530Dealer (01)1,191Manufacturer (07)227Pawnbroker (02)51Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2022All types1,537Dealer (01)1,197Manufacturer (07)227Pawnbroker (02)52Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2022All types1,536Dealer (01)1,198Manufacturer (07)223Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
May 2022All types1,533Dealer (01)1,198Manufacturer (07)221Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)16Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2022All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not available
March 2022All types1,521Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,189Manufacturer (07)218Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)16Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
February 2022All types1,516Dealer (01)1,191Manufacturer (07)212Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
January 2022All types1,513Dealer (01)1,191Manufacturer (07)209Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
December 2021All types1,518Dealer (01)1,196Manufacturer (07)207Pawnbroker (02)53Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
November 2021All types1,519Dealer (01)1,196Manufacturer (07)207Pawnbroker (02)54Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
October 2021All types1,528Dealer (01)1,205Manufacturer (07)207Pawnbroker (02)55Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
September 2021All types1,528Dealer (01)1,206Manufacturer (07)205Pawnbroker (02)55Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
August 2021All types1,526Dealer (01)1,205Manufacturer (07)204Pawnbroker (02)55Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)15Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
July 2021All types1,526Dealer (01)1,208Manufacturer (07)202Pawnbroker (02)55Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Importer (08)14Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
June 2021All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not available
May 2021All types1,509Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,203Manufacturer (07)194Pawnbroker (02)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Importer (08)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)2
April 2021All types1,500Dealer (01)1,201Manufacturer (07)190Pawnbroker (02)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)1
March 2021All types1,491Dealer (01)1,198Manufacturer (07)185Pawnbroker (02)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)1
February 2021All types1,484Dealer (01)1,194Manufacturer (07)183Pawnbroker (02)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)1
January 2021All types1,483Dealer (01)1,199Manufacturer (07)178Pawnbroker (02)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Importer (08)9Destructive-device manufacturer (10)2Destructive-device importer (11)1
Cite a figure from this section (8)

How many background checks does Iowa run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 185,566 checks in Iowa in 2025, up 1.3% from 2024. Permit checks were 54.3% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 129,385, against 114,963 a year earlier. [4]

FBI NICS background checks in Iowa per year, 1999–2025 checks

2025: 185,566 · 2024: 183,241 · 1.3% more

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Iowa monthly counts added up by calendar year. A year is shown only when all twelve months are reported.

  • 185,566firearm background checks in Iowa in 2025, 100,768 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

  1. Permit recheck53,309 28.7%
  2. Permit47,459 25.6%
  3. Long gun39,645 21.4%
  4. Handgun38,558 20.8%
  5. Other firearm2,334 1.3%
  6. Multiple firearms1,595 0.9%
  7. All other types2,666 1.4%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Iowa counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 185,566 checks.

Show every year and month
FBI NICS background checks in Iowa by year
YearChecks
2025Checks185,566
2024Checks183,241
2023Checks185,840
2022Checks218,703
2021Checks266,678
2020Checks270,614
2019Checks182,802
2018Checks189,159
2017Checks160,981
2016Checks202,277
2015Checks147,309
2014Checks127,022
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS background checks in Iowa by year, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks160,062
2012Checks147,700
2011Checks179,944
2010Checks124,738
2009Checks120,233
2008Checks108,330
2007Checks98,888
2006Checks101,430
2005Checks100,344
2004Checks98,517
2003Checks95,127
2002Checks90,358
2001Checks89,658
2000Checks87,796
1999Checks92,222
FBI NICS background checks in Iowa by month
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks13,227
July 2026Checks12,021
June 2026Checks11,694
May 2026Checks12,065
April 2026Checks16,744
March 2026Checks22,314
February 2026Checks18,528
January 2026Checks22,792
December 2025Checks22,248
November 2025Checks18,533
October 2025Checks15,650
September 2025Checks14,172
August 2025Checks11,887
July 2025Checks11,846
June 2025Checks11,425
May 2025Checks12,026
April 2025Checks15,116
March 2025Checks17,659
February 2025Checks15,366
January 2025Checks19,638
December 2024Checks18,408
November 2024Checks19,520
October 2024Checks15,557
September 2024Checks11,628
Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024
FBI NICS background checks in Iowa by month, November 1998 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks11,866
July 2024Checks11,141
June 2024Checks10,526
May 2024Checks11,946
April 2024Checks15,621
March 2024Checks22,057
February 2024Checks19,209
January 2024Checks15,762
December 2023Checks19,570
November 2023Checks18,250
October 2023Checks13,998
September 2023Checks12,368
August 2023Checks12,124
July 2023Checks10,940
June 2023Checks10,736
May 2023Checks11,432
April 2023Checks15,991
March 2023Checks23,437
February 2023Checks17,739
January 2023Checks19,255
December 2022Checks17,750
November 2022Checks17,168
October 2022Checks13,761
September 2022Checks14,316
August 2022Checks15,041
July 2022Checks12,819
June 2022Checks16,595
May 2022Checks15,142
April 2022Checks19,809
March 2022Checks30,460
February 2022Checks23,831
January 2022Checks22,011
December 2021Checks20,883
November 2021Checks18,495
October 2021Checks18,119
September 2021Checks16,929
August 2021Checks17,734
July 2021Checks20,275
June 2021Checks16,152
May 2021Checks16,280
April 2021Checks24,056
March 2021Checks32,870
February 2021Checks30,572
January 2021Checks34,313
December 2020Checks31,037
November 2020Checks24,215
October 2020Checks22,738
September 2020Checks19,871
August 2020Checks17,660
July 2020Checks19,035
June 2020Checks24,450
May 2020Checks17,359
April 2020Checks26,108
March 2020Checks24,652
February 2020Checks20,889
January 2020Checks22,600
December 2019Checks19,747
November 2019Checks20,819
October 2019Checks16,605
September 2019Checks12,081
August 2019Checks11,760
July 2019Checks11,507
June 2019Checks10,933
May 2019Checks12,850
April 2019Checks15,144
March 2019Checks20,108
February 2019Checks15,181
January 2019Checks16,067
December 2018Checks17,188
November 2018Checks17,001
October 2018Checks15,518
September 2018Checks13,861
August 2018Checks14,306
July 2018Checks10,329
June 2018Checks10,904
May 2018Checks13,766
April 2018Checks17,457
March 2018Checks21,697
February 2018Checks17,387
January 2018Checks19,745
December 2017Checks19,236
November 2017Checks17,182
October 2017Checks14,012
September 2017Checks9,975
August 2017Checks9,416
July 2017Checks8,801
June 2017Checks8,352
May 2017Checks10,232
April 2017Checks13,017
March 2017Checks20,026
February 2017Checks15,025
January 2017Checks15,707
December 2016Checks18,090
November 2016Checks18,540
October 2016Checks14,908
September 2016Checks12,094
August 2016Checks12,518
July 2016Checks11,937
June 2016Checks12,209
May 2016Checks12,578
April 2016Checks15,435
March 2016Checks23,526
February 2016Checks23,728
January 2016Checks26,714
December 2015Checks25,941
November 2015Checks13,794
October 2015Checks10,725
September 2015Checks9,865
August 2015Checks8,592
July 2015Checks8,356
June 2015Checks7,359
May 2015Checks7,597
April 2015Checks11,113
March 2015Checks14,948
February 2015Checks16,457
January 2015Checks12,562
December 2014Checks14,335
November 2014Checks10,906
October 2014Checks10,795
September 2014Checks8,494
August 2014Checks7,923
July 2014Checks7,575
June 2014Checks8,569
May 2014Checks8,165
April 2014Checks10,404
March 2014Checks13,686
February 2014Checks13,167
January 2014Checks13,003
December 2013Checks12,638
November 2013Checks12,076
October 2013Checks11,717
September 2013Checks10,873
August 2013Checks8,566
July 2013Checks6,772
June 2013Checks8,336
May 2013Checks9,708
April 2013Checks15,734
March 2013Checks19,176
February 2013Checks20,309
January 2013Checks24,157
December 2012Checks19,407
November 2012Checks16,155
October 2012Checks12,012
September 2012Checks8,990
August 2012Checks9,917
July 2012Checks8,596
June 2012Checks7,505
May 2012Checks9,505
April 2012Checks11,101
March 2012Checks14,773
February 2012Checks16,076
January 2012Checks13,663
December 2011Checks15,052
November 2011Checks14,326
October 2011Checks11,784
September 2011Checks10,514
August 2011Checks10,193
July 2011Checks7,925
June 2011Checks9,134
May 2011Checks11,264
April 2011Checks15,666
March 2011Checks24,621
February 2011Checks21,226
January 2011Checks28,239
December 2010Checks16,089
November 2010Checks13,273
October 2010Checks11,029
September 2010Checks9,588
August 2010Checks7,723
July 2010Checks6,921
June 2010Checks7,847
May 2010Checks7,568
April 2010Checks9,720
March 2010Checks13,878
February 2010Checks10,673
January 2010Checks10,429
December 2009Checks13,755
November 2009Checks11,146
October 2009Checks11,607
September 2009Checks8,711
August 2009Checks7,213
July 2009Checks6,309
June 2009Checks6,646
May 2009Checks7,354
April 2009Checks10,764
March 2009Checks13,542
February 2009Checks11,199
January 2009Checks11,987
December 2008Checks14,456
November 2008Checks13,188
October 2008Checks11,047
September 2008Checks8,426
August 2008Checks6,282
July 2008Checks5,437
June 2008Checks5,103
May 2008Checks6,253
April 2008Checks8,333
March 2008Checks10,569
February 2008Checks8,850
January 2008Checks10,386
December 2007Checks12,722
November 2007Checks11,723
October 2007Checks10,303
September 2007Checks7,516
August 2007Checks6,441
July 2007Checks4,742
June 2007Checks4,670
May 2007Checks5,238
April 2007Checks7,337
March 2007Checks9,600
February 2007Checks8,314
January 2007Checks10,282
December 2006Checks14,116
November 2006Checks11,866
October 2006Checks10,576
September 2006Checks8,334
August 2006Checks6,020
July 2006Checks4,425
June 2006Checks4,817
May 2006Checks5,339
April 2006Checks6,654
March 2006Checks10,391
February 2006Checks8,725
January 2006Checks10,167
December 2005Checks15,026
November 2005Checks12,280
October 2005Checks10,112
September 2005Checks7,510
August 2005Checks5,831
July 2005Checks4,459
June 2005Checks4,689
May 2005Checks5,192
April 2005Checks6,734
March 2005Checks9,945
February 2005Checks8,945
January 2005Checks9,621
December 2004Checks14,573
November 2004Checks11,336
October 2004Checks10,823
September 2004Checks7,925
August 2004Checks5,980
July 2004Checks4,688
June 2004Checks4,560
May 2004Checks4,809
April 2004Checks6,552
March 2004Checks9,574
February 2004Checks8,155
January 2004Checks9,542
December 2003Checks15,003
November 2003Checks10,925
October 2003Checks10,194
September 2003Checks7,735
August 2003Checks5,539
July 2003Checks4,438
June 2003Checks4,006
May 2003Checks4,743
April 2003Checks6,568
March 2003Checks8,589
February 2003Checks7,918
January 2003Checks9,469
December 2002Checks13,218
November 2002Checks10,295
October 2002Checks10,199
September 2002Checks7,427
August 2002Checks5,558
July 2002Checks4,348
June 2002Checks3,783
May 2002Checks4,642
April 2002Checks6,366
March 2002Checks7,878
February 2002Checks7,644
January 2002Checks9,000
December 2001Checks12,122
November 2001Checks11,418
October 2001Checks10,661
September 2001Checks8,139
August 2001Checks5,333
July 2001Checks3,989
June 2001Checks3,987
May 2001Checks4,284
April 2001Checks5,676
March 2001Checks8,202
February 2001Checks7,100
January 2001Checks8,747
December 2000Checks10,694
November 2000Checks11,298
October 2000Checks10,620
September 2000Checks7,692
August 2000Checks5,660
July 2000Checks3,875
June 2000Checks4,003
May 2000Checks4,179
April 2000Checks5,501
March 2000Checks7,994
February 2000Checks7,661
January 2000Checks8,619
December 1999Checks14,055
November 1999Checks10,984
October 1999Checks11,017
September 1999Checks8,224
August 1999Checks5,841
July 1999Checks4,152
June 1999Checks4,433
May 1999Checks4,412
April 1999Checks6,029
March 1999Checks7,691
February 1999Checks7,222
January 1999Checks8,162
December 1998Checks14,168
November 1998Checks482Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998
Cite a figure from this section (14)

What does Iowa export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in Iowa came to $13.2 million in 2025, across 5 product groups. Military weapons were 93.9% of that. [7]

Firearm and ammunition exports from Iowa, 2011–2025 current dollars

  • Hatched: not reported

2025: $13,196,136 · 2024: $15,400,236 · 14.3% less

Source: Census international trade, exports by the state where they start their trip to the border, which is not always where they were made. USA Arms adds up the product groups Census reported each year, and the groups can differ from year to year.

By product, 2025

  1. Military weapons$12,388,455
  2. Rifles$384,375
  3. Cartridges and parts$293,015
  4. Pistols and revolvers$124,370
  5. Shotguns and combination guns$5,921

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Iowa, 2025. USA Arms adds up each product’s twelve months; a product Census did not report every month is left out. Monthly values by product and country through December 2025 are in Census trade data.

Where the exports went, 2025

  1. Switzerland$10,682,543
  2. Estonia$768,870
  3. New Zealand$502,911
  4. Germany$317,264
  5. Austria$157,922
  6. Korea, South$146,887
  7. Ukraine$109,329
  8. Morocco$103,786

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Iowa, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 28 destinations in all, the largest 8 shown. A destination is where the goods were bound, not always where they were used.

Show all 14 years
Firearm and ammunition exports from Iowa, product groups added up by USA Arms
YearExports
2025Exports$13,196,1365 product families
2024Exports$15,400,2366 product families
2023Exports$11,614,0112 product families
2022Exports$16,753,7944 product families
2021Exports$11,223,1773 product families
2020Exports$17,383,8504 product families
2019Exports$859,2491 product family
2018Exports$551,745
2017Exports$237,062
2016Exports$270,8792 product families
2015Exports$26,4371 product family
2013Exports$687,550
Earlier years, 2011–2012
Firearm and ammunition exports from Iowa, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2011–2012
YearExports
2012Exports$1,055,0471 product family
2011Exports$1,681,530
Cite a figure from this section (14)

How many hunting licenses does Iowa certify?

Iowa certified 222,692 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024. Hunters bought 604,152 resident and 88,415 nonresident licenses, for $22,316,648 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

Paid hunting-license holders in Iowa, 1956–2024 license holders

2024: 222,692 · 2023: 219,433 · 1.5% more

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) hunting license counts, Iowa, by license year.

  • 222,692paid hunting-license holders Iowa certified for license year 2024; the high was 385,465 in 1958USFWS certifications · 2024 · IowaCite
Show all 69 years
Hunting licenses certified by Iowa
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2024Paid license holders222,692Resident licenses604,152Nonresident licenses88,415Gross cost$22,316,648
2023Paid license holders219,433Resident licenses603,154Nonresident licenses83,227Gross cost$21,559,284
2022Paid license holders219,432Resident licenses593,452Nonresident licenses90,046Gross cost$23,583,242
2021Paid license holders220,576Resident licenses605,541Nonresident licenses79,161Gross cost$22,462,897
2020Paid license holders207,071Resident licenses550,054Nonresident licenses73,677Gross cost$21,836,749
2019Paid license holders214,398Resident licenses567,033Nonresident licenses70,562Gross cost$17,905,198
2018Paid license holders218,483Resident licenses578,244Nonresident licenses80,830Gross cost$20,076,441
2017Paid license holders227,761Resident licenses590,834Nonresident licenses79,713Gross cost$20,376,990
2016Paid license holders223,232Resident licenses516,446Nonresident licenses67,438Gross cost$17,713,256
2015Paid license holders221,231Resident licenses546,449Nonresident licenses59,853Gross cost$15,951,842
2014Paid license holders217,282Resident licenses545,908Nonresident licenses55,600Gross cost$16,185,849
2013Paid license holders219,798Resident licenses766,883Nonresident licenses74,910Gross costWithheld
Earlier years, 1956–2012
Hunting licenses certified by Iowa, 1956–2012
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2012Paid license holders222,695Resident licenses786,409Nonresident licenses73,669Gross costWithheld
2011Paid license holders227,408Resident licenses796,934Nonresident licenses79,379Gross costWithheld
2010Paid license holders256,896Resident licenses849,955Nonresident licenses93,367Gross costWithheld
2009Paid license holders264,699Resident licenses861,164Nonresident licenses104,695Gross costWithheld
2008Paid license holders271,434Resident licenses854,462Nonresident licenses116,689Gross costWithheld
2007Paid license holders290,171Resident licenses867,568Nonresident licenses123,276Gross costWithheld
2006Paid license holders291,424Resident licenses890,684Nonresident licenses118,680Gross costWithheld
2005Paid license holders280,398Resident licenses862,654Nonresident licenses118,031Gross costWithheld
2004Paid license holders286,607Resident licenses840,817Nonresident licenses122,013Gross costWithheld
2003Paid license holders269,014Resident licenses768,276Nonresident licenses103,638Gross costWithheld
2002Paid license holders257,899Resident licenses753,120Nonresident licenses94,062Gross costWithheld
2001Paid license holders269,014Resident licenses768,276Nonresident licenses103,638Gross costWithheld
2000Paid license holders257,899Resident licenses753,120Nonresident licenses94,062Gross cost$14,380,536
1999Paid license holders259,898Resident licenses733,752Nonresident licenses95,715Gross cost$13,223,196
1998Paid license holders266,880Resident licenses742,408Nonresident licenses101,607Gross cost$13,259,788
1997Paid license holders275,780Resident licenses749,807Nonresident licenses112,597Gross cost$13,279,223
1996Paid license holders273,628Resident licenses722,331Nonresident licenses114,368Gross cost$13,048,912
1995Paid license holders271,695Resident licenses700,845Nonresident licenses115,735Gross cost$12,703,103
1994Paid license holders266,855Resident licenses689,511Nonresident licenses104,192Gross cost$12,356,773
1993Paid license holders263,690Resident licenses690,591Nonresident licenses98,677Gross cost$11,749,999
1992Paid license holders232,303Resident licenses639,087Nonresident licenses62,647Gross cost$10,310,869
1991Paid license holders247,494Resident licenses662,627Nonresident licenses83,776Gross cost$10,641,922
1990Paid license holders275,489Resident licenses694,192Nonresident licenses96,190Gross cost$9,797,108
1989Paid license holders266,010Resident licenses707,951Nonresident licenses85,344Gross cost$9,072,713
1988Paid license holders271,663Resident licenses731,426Nonresident licenses81,885Gross cost$8,902,497
1987Paid license holders259,083Resident licenses675,833Nonresident licenses71,742Gross cost$7,595,974
1986Paid license holders260,998Resident licenses667,354Nonresident licenses70,190Gross cost$7,332,252
1985Paid license holders243,279Resident licenses618,817Nonresident licenses55,436Gross cost$6,411,927
1984Paid license holders235,522Resident licenses594,743Nonresident licenses46,683Gross cost$5,879,685
1983Paid license holders243,852Resident licenses221,925Nonresident licenses21,927Gross cost$2,098,995
1982Paid license holders267,399Resident licenses648,496Nonresident licenses70,468Gross cost$4,939,911
1981Paid license holders276,216Resident licenses660,751Nonresident licenses72,903Gross cost$5,007,285
1980Paid license holders304,474Resident licenses692,704Nonresident licenses94,965Gross cost$5,353,177
1979Paid license holders305,080Resident licenses682,931Nonresident licenses93,554Gross cost$5,189,561
1978Paid license holders292,947Resident licenses651,925Nonresident licenses82,787Gross cost$4,766,029
1977Paid license holders336,504Resident licenses452,069Nonresident licenses33,750Gross cost$3,547,343
1976Paid license holders344,938Resident licenses462,824Nonresident licenses39,979Gross cost$3,145,115
1975Paid license holders369,108Resident licenses481,795Nonresident licenses44,953Gross cost$3,310,890
1974Paid license holders354,964Resident licenses476,710Nonresident licenses37,664Gross cost$3,101,249
1973Paid license holders366,977Resident licenses456,702Nonresident licenses43,248Gross cost$3,028,582
1972Paid license holders341,459Resident licenses425,690Nonresident licenses35,181Gross cost$2,691,096
1971Paid license holders319,844Resident licenses398,232Nonresident licenses29,179Gross cost$2,349,787
1970Paid license holders359,373Resident licenses363,853Nonresident licenses30,831Gross cost$1,763,125
1969Paid license holders344,902Resident licenses390,529Nonresident licenses22,393Gross cost$1,570,527
1968Paid license holders320,928Resident licenses349,738Nonresident licenses18,131Gross cost$1,423,611
1967Paid license holders321,647Resident licenses309,424Nonresident licenses12,223Gross cost$1,110,193
1966Paid license holders306,823Resident licenses295,276Nonresident licenses11,547Gross cost$1,049,373
1965Paid license holders302,781Resident licenses292,745Nonresident licenses10,036Gross cost$993,501
1964Paid license holders282,503Resident licenses308,473Nonresident licenses6,505Gross cost$995,295
1963Paid license holders310,639Resident licenses282,331Nonresident licenses8,678Gross cost$1,100,185
1962Paid license holders315,199Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1961Paid license holders294,332Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1960Paid license holders308,148Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1959Paid license holders319,668Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1958Paid license holders385,465Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1957Paid license holders361,197Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1956Paid license holders343,823Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (5)

How much conservation money does Iowa receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $12,112,654 to Iowa for fiscal 2026, 8.1% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $17,101,181 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Iowa, FY 1939–FY 2026 current dollars

FY 2026: $12,112,654 · FY 2025: $13,177,371 · 8.1% less

Source: USFWS, Iowa, including hunter education money. Not adjusted for inflation.

  • $12,112,654apportioned to Iowa for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $17,101,181 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · IowaCite
Show all 88 fiscal years
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Iowa
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2026Apportioned$12,112,654
FY 2025Apportioned$13,177,371
FY 2024Apportioned$14,122,087
FY 2023Apportioned$17,101,181
FY 2022Apportioned$15,715,006
FY 2021Apportioned$9,713,348
FY 2020Apportioned$8,678,088
FY 2019Apportioned$9,811,372
FY 2018Apportioned$11,515,178
FY 2017Apportioned$11,333,962
FY 2016Apportioned$10,069,154
FY 2015Apportioned$11,945,027
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Iowa, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2014Apportioned$11,369,276
FY 2013Apportioned$7,772,276
FY 2012Apportioned$5,737,185
FY 2011Apportioned$6,424,735
FY 2010Apportioned$7,705,399
FY 2009Apportioned$5,951,501
FY 2008Apportioned$5,447,573
FY 2007Apportioned$4,626,794
FY 2006Apportioned$4,120,414
FY 2005Apportioned$4,037,099
FY 2004Apportioned$3,330,454
FY 2003Apportioned$3,581,704
FY 2002Apportioned$3,156,428
FY 2001Apportioned$3,442,710
FY 2000Apportioned$3,359,777
FY 1999Apportioned$2,860,708
FY 1998Apportioned$2,643,456
FY 1997Apportioned$2,800,388
FY 1996Apportioned$3,246,869
FY 1995Apportioned$3,444,394
FY 1994Apportioned$3,080,183
FY 1993Apportioned$2,628,161
FY 1992Apportioned$2,540,709
FY 1991Apportioned$2,604,693
FY 1990Apportioned$1,980,262
FY 1989Apportioned$1,960,474
FY 1988Apportioned$1,786,698
FY 1987Apportioned$1,776,721
FY 1986Apportioned$1,816,891
FY 1985Apportioned$1,345,922
FY 1984Apportioned$1,551,912
FY 1983Apportioned$1,881,711
FY 1982Apportioned$2,039,244
FY 1981Apportioned$1,556,811
FY 1980Apportioned$1,686,970
FY 1979Apportioned$1,611,049
FY 1978Apportioned$1,207,043
FY 1977Apportioned$1,629,501
FY 1976Apportioned$1,097,663
FY 1975Apportioned$1,000,457
FY 1974Apportioned$944,523
FY 1973Apportioned$784,604
FY 1972Apportioned$648,958
FY 1971Apportioned$580,170
FY 1970Apportioned$588,253
FY 1969Apportioned$563,366
FY 1968Apportioned$476,777
FY 1967Apportioned$447,809
FY 1966Apportioned$371,112
FY 1965Apportioned$312,600
FY 1964Apportioned$329,492
FY 1963Apportioned$265,943
FY 1962Apportioned$269,761
FY 1961Apportioned$297,576
FY 1960Apportioned$310,713
FY 1959Apportioned$363,289
FY 1958Apportioned$375,136
FY 1957Apportioned$351,096
FY 1956Apportioned$311,581
FY 1955Apportioned$207,885
FY 1954Apportioned$257,742
FY 1953Apportioned$223,522
FY 1952Apportioned$389,799
FY 1951Apportioned$197,389
FY 1950Apportioned$207,716
FY 1949Apportioned$231,119
FY 1948Apportioned$201,526
FY 1947Apportioned$52,180
FY 1946Apportioned$19,219
FY 1945Apportioned$18,505
FY 1944Apportioned$20,906
FY 1943Apportioned$24,998
FY 1942Apportioned$54,319
FY 1941Apportioned$48,117
FY 1940Apportioned$26,520
FY 1939Apportioned$16,859
Cite a figure from this section (2)

How does Iowa compare?

Iowa ranks 29th for firearms made, 22nd for license records, 30th for small arms jobs, 26th for job concentration, 33rd for hunting license holders and 38th for Wildlife Restoration money. Pick a measure to see every state, or see all fifty states compared on the U.S. page.

Measure
AlaskaAK10256287.2K$35.6MAlabamaAL150K1.48K497K$19.2MArkansasAR50.8K1.5K8103.88331K$14MArizonaAZ550K2.58K2.23K4.32303K$23.1MCaliforniaCA50K2.03K4860.17252K$26.8MColoradoCO2.31K1.68K2790.60379K$22.9MConnecticutDelawareFloridaFL350K4.56K8280.52265K$16.4MGeorgiaGA797K2.42K1.25K1.60816K$27.7MHawaiiHI29810515.3K$5.03MIdahoID42.7K1.34K3522.52301K$16.6MIllinoisIL213K1.41K282K$16.6MIndianaIN18.1K1.73K2610.51253K$13.9MKansasKS8.88K1.21K530.23282K$16.1MKentuckyKY613K1.44K9442.97316K$14MLouisianaLA4.79K1.29K451K$17.6MMassachusettsMarylandMaineME735547208K$9.38MMichiganMI23.9K2.44K350.05632K$23.9MMinnesotaMN26K1.55K1.69K3.58528K$23.8MMissouriMO55.1K2.44K2380.51522K$22.4MMississippiMS1.04K1.05K272K$12.2MMontanaMT10.4K1.18K3143.83233K$22MNorth CarolinaNC656K3.06K1.02K1.29582K$22.3MNorth DakotaND1.66K543149K$12.1MNebraskaNE4.19K804267K$15.2MNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNM2.74K689280.20160K$17.8MNevadaNV147K8592490.99111K$15.6MNew YorkNY88.2K1.82K2990.19533K$20.9MOhioOH53.9K2.79K2370.27360K$16.6MOklahomaOK6.01K1.7K356K$17.5MOregonOR12.9K1.38K330K$20.1MPennsylvaniaPA95.6K3.24K1.2K1.241.03M$30.6MRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSC765K1.49K7652.06199K$11.1MSouth DakotaSD1.9K646801.09223K$14.3MTennesseeTN1.16M1.99K1.17K2.24734K$24.2MTexasTX666K8.34K1.12K0.501.12M$38.9MUtahUT135K1.37K7002.51283K$16.4MVirginiaVA12K1.99K2210.33251K$14.3MVermontWashingtonWA177K1.17K4820.84164K$15.4MWisconsinWI205K1.77K1.02K2.16652K$23.5MWest VirginiaWV3.32K943260.23278K$9.83MWyomingWY12.9K8243678.13119K$14.4MIowaIA23.2K1.46K710.28223K$12.1M
  • Under 3.32K
  • 3.32K to 18.1K
  • 18.1K to 88.2K
  • 88.2K to 350K
  • 350K and up
  • Under 646
  • 646 to 1.18K
  • 1.18K to 1.49K
  • 1.49K to 2.03K
  • 2.03K and up
  • Under 123
  • 123 to 299
  • 299 to 765
  • 765 to 1.17K
  • 1.17K and up
  • Not published
  • Under 0.27
  • 0.27 to 0.52
  • 0.52 to 1.60
  • 1.60 to 3.58
  • 3.58 and up
  • Not published
  • Under 111K
  • 111K to 251K
  • 251K to 301K
  • 301K to 522K
  • 522K and up
  • Under $9.83M
  • $9.83M to $14.4M
  • $14.4M to $17.5M
  • $17.5M to $23.1M
  • $23.1M and up

Map and table: firearms the state’s plants reported to ATF, calendar year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: federal firearms license records on ATF’s Aug 2026 list, all listed types. Darker means higher.

Map and table: private small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing jobs, 2025 annual average. Darker means higher.

Map and table: the share of the state’s private jobs in small arms manufacturing, against the U.S. share, 2025; 1.00 means the same share. Darker means higher.

Map and table: paid hunting-license holders the state certified for license year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: Wildlife Restoration and hunter education money apportioned for fiscal 2026. Darker means higher.

Every state and measure
RankStateFirearms made, 2024License records, Aug 2026Small arms jobs, 2025Job concentration, 2025Hunting license holders, 2024Wildlife Restoration, FY 2026
1New Hampshire1,381,9226021,69715.4059,947$5,027,605
2Tennessee1,164,2391,9901,1712.24734,342$24,236,720
3Georgia796,8572,4251,2501.60815,738$27,695,024
4South Carolina764,9041,4947652.06199,114$11,071,422
5Texas665,8328,3431,1200.501,117,858$38,857,809
6North Carolina656,2673,0581,0201.29581,521$22,308,487
7Kentucky613,2251,4429442.97315,758$13,967,424
8Arizona549,9892,5802,2344.32303,298$23,118,473
9Massachusetts479,681589Not publishedNot published60,377$8,289,959
10Florida350,1574,5588280.52265,018$16,437,305
11Connecticut225,5306591,2464.6025,903$6,023,949
12New Jersey222,163380Not publishedNot published67,305$8,289,959
13Illinois213,4461,414Not publishedNot published282,380$16,595,276
14Wisconsin205,1101,7751,0172.16652,399$23,485,531
15Washington176,7451,1654820.84163,801$15,447,463
16Alabama150,1801,479Not publishedNot published497,063$19,216,281
17Nevada146,5248592490.99111,210$15,610,455
18Utah135,2091,3707002.51282,841$16,350,555
19Pennsylvania95,6103,2371,1971.241,031,218$30,594,626
20New York88,1651,8162990.19533,479$20,933,144
21Missouri55,1392,4372380.51521,787$22,441,430
22Ohio53,8952,7852370.27359,811$16,569,111
23Arkansas50,8031,5008103.88331,401$14,014,316
24California49,9712,0304860.17251,590$26,821,647
25Idaho42,6771,3413522.52300,759$16,597,136
26Vermont28,628340Not publishedNot published55,171$5,027,605
27Minnesota26,0321,5521,6853.58527,774$23,819,471
28Michigan23,9142,436350.05632,144$23,914,949
29Iowa23,1901,456710.28222,692$12,112,654
30Indiana18,1361,7312610.51252,645$13,857,865
31Wyoming12,9468243678.13118,896$14,427,611
32Oregon12,8721,379Not publishedNot published330,416$20,075,259
33Virginia11,9591,9942210.33251,350$14,312,936
34Maryland10,7567921230.28111,027$7,898,984
35Montana10,3771,1843143.83233,193$21,957,263
36Kansas8,8811,206530.23282,124$16,080,090
37Oklahoma6,0111,704Not publishedNot published356,283$17,533,166
38Louisiana4,7941,288Not publishedNot published451,343$17,626,642
39Nebraska4,188804Not publishedNot published266,748$15,218,471
40West Virginia3,323943260.23278,193$9,827,675
41New Mexico2,744689280.20160,081$17,768,168
42Colorado2,3131,6792790.60378,763$22,930,115
43South Dakota1,896646801.09222,875$14,329,482
44North Dakota1,659543Not publishedNot published148,512$12,140,115
45Mississippi1,0381,053Not publishedNot published271,751$12,204,415
46Maine735547Not publishedNot published208,206$9,376,640
47Hawaii298105Not publishedNot published15,296$5,027,605
48Rhode Island103115Not publishedNot published7,378$5,027,605
49Alaska102562Not publishedNot published87,159$35,595,455
50Delaware41135Not publishedNot published15,399$5,027,605

Ranks count only states with a published value. A state without one is listed last, never as zero. Background checks are left out: state permit rules change how many checks a state runs, and a check is not a sale. Sources: ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report, ATF Federal Firearms Listings, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, USFWS Wildlife Restoration and hunting licenses.

Find firearms businesses in Iowa

Research with Iowa figures

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: Iowa’s largest filings each year · compare Iowa with another state or year
  2. When do Americans run firearm background checks?Inside: Every day since 1998 for the whole country; the FBI publishes no daily counts by state
  3. Firearm background checks per person, by stateInside: Iowa’s rate per 1,000 residents · its yearly check mix · monthly checks since 1998
  4. How do federal firearms license counts and types differ by state?Inside: Iowa’s license mix against the U.S. · compare Iowa with another state
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: Iowa’s license holders per 100 residents, its rank and its nonresident share

All research

Sources, downloads and corrections

Every number above has its own link. Select Cite to copy a figure as one sentence with its source, period and link.

Every figure and series · CSVEvery figure and series · JSONHow we source figures

Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit USA Arms and link to this page.

  1. [1] ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reportcalendar years 2004–2024www.atf.gov
  2. [2] ATF Federal Firearms Listingsmonthly lists by license type, January 2021 – August 2026www.atf.gov
  3. [3] USFWS Wildlife Restoration apportionments and hunting-license certificationshunting licenses, license years 1956–2024; apportionments, fiscal years 1939–2026www.fws.gov
  4. [4] FBI NICS firearm checksmonthly state counts, November 1998 – August 2026; checks by type, 2025www.fbi.gov
  5. [5] BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wagesprivate employers by industry, 2006–2025www.bls.gov
  6. [6] Census Bureau, Economic Census2022 Economic Census, Iowawww.census.gov
  7. [7] Census international tradeIowa-origin exports by product, 2025; monthly values through December 2025www.census.gov

Each figure keeps the period its source uses: calendar years, federal fiscal years (ending September 30), license years or months. Withheld and unpublished values are labeled, never shown as zero. Partial years are labeled, never stretched to a full year. Totals that USA Arms added up say so. Found something wrong? Submit a correction.