Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Polk County. Des Moines lies at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, surrounded by farmland and home to the state capitol and major insurance companies. Orders ship to licensed dealers throughout Polk County, including nearby suburbs like Ankeny and West Des Moines.
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Iowa law allows.
Since 2021, Iowa no longer requires a permit to acquire handguns when purchasing from a dealer. County sheriffs still issue permits for residents who want one, which can expedite transactions and aid with reciprocity. Federal background checks are conducted, and buyers must be 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns. Private handgun transfers are allowed for those 18 and older. Online orders are shipped to the Iowa dealer of your choice.
Dealers in these communities all work for Des Moines-area buyers:
Iowa has allowed permitless carry, both openly and concealed, since July 1, 2021, with the minimum age dropping to 18 on July 1, 2025. The optional nonprofessional permit to carry weapons is issued by the Polk County Sheriff and is valid for five years. Many residents maintain the permit for recognition in other states. Restrictions apply in schools, courthouses, and on posted private property, and employers may set additional rules.
Iowa deer hunting focuses on shotguns and straight-wall cartridges. For the 2026-27 season, the first gun season runs December 5 to 9 and the second December 12 to 20, with archery in October and November and late muzzleloader extending into January. Legal firearms include shotguns, handguns with barrels at least four inches long, muzzleloaders, and rifles chambered for expanding straight-wall cartridges from .350 to .500 caliber producing at least 500 foot-pounds of energy. Polk County is part of Zone A.
Polk County is in Iowa's Zone A, with the first shotgun season running December 5 to 9 and the second December 12 to 20. The Butch Olofson range at Saylorville is managed by the Iowa DNR.
Saylorville and Red Rock reservoirs attract waterfowl hunters, while Iowa's river corridors are known for producing large whitetails, often taken with slugs and straight-wall rifles.
The public ranges on the city pages are run or listed by the state wildlife agency, a state forest or a national forest, chosen by distance from each city. Licenses, passes and hours are the agency's; some public ranges restrict rapid fire or large-format pistols, so read the rules.
Source: State wildlife agency and public-land range listings, September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Des Moines or anywhere in Polk County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No. The permit has been optional since 2021, though the Polk County Sheriff still issues it and it can shorten your time at the dealer.
Yes. Since July 1, 2025 the minimum age for permitless carry is 18, although a dealer may still only sell a handgun to a buyer 21 or older.
Rifles chambered for expanding straight-wall cartridges from .350 to .500 caliber with at least 500 foot-pounds of energy, along with shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders.
Almost never; states set minimum cartridges for deer that 9mm does not meet. Use a rifle the state allows; the city page names the zone.
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our buying guide and check with Polk County Sheriff or a local attorney about your own situation.