Iowa Code § 724.21A — IA Code / Title XVI / Chapter 724 / Section 724.21A
Denial, suspension, or revocation of permit to carry weapons or permit to acquire pistols or revolvers.
Status: in_force

(1) In any case where the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety denies an application for or suspends or revokes a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers, the sheriff or commissioner shall provide a written statement of the reasons for the denial, suspension, or revocation and the applicant or permit holder shall have the right to appeal the denial, suspension, or revocation to an administrative law judge in the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing within thirty days of receiving written notice of the denial, suspension, or revocation.

(2) The applicant or permit holder may file an appeal with an administrative law judge by filing a copy of the denial, suspension, or revocation notice with a written statement that clearly states the applicant’s reasons rebutting the denial, suspension, or revocation along with a fee of ten dollars. Additional supporting information relevant to the proceedings may also be included.

(3) The administrative law judge shall, within forty-five days of receipt of the request for an appeal, set a hearing date. The hearing may be held by telephone or video conference at the discretion of the administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall receive witness testimony and other evidence relevant to the proceedings at the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to chapter 17A.

(4) Upon conclusion of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall order that the denial, suspension, or revocation of the permit be either rescinded or sustained. An applicant, permit holder, or issuing officer aggrieved by the final judgment of the administrative law judge shall have the right to judicial review in accordance with the terms of the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A.

(5) The standard of review under this section shall be clear and convincing evidence that the issuing officer’s written statement of the reasons for the denial, suspension, or revocation constituted probable cause to deny an application or to suspend or revoke a permit.

(6) The department of inspections, appeals, and licensing shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(7) In any case where the issuing officer denies an application for, or suspends or revokes a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers solely because of an adverse determination by the national instant criminal background check system, the applicant or permit holder shall not seek relief under this section but may pursue relief of the national instant criminal background check system determination pursuant to Pub. L. No. 103-159, sections 103(f) and (g) and 104 and 28 C.F.R. §25.10, or other applicable law. The outcome of such proceedings shall be binding on the issuing officer.

(8) If an applicant or permit holder appeals the decision by the sheriff or commissioner to deny an application for or suspend or revoke a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers, and it is later determined on appeal the applicant or permit holder is eligible to be issued or possess a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers, the applicant or permit holder shall be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees. If the decision of the sheriff or commissioner to deny an application for or suspend or revoke a permit to carry weapons or a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers is upheld on appeal, or the applicant or permit holder withdraws or dismisses the appeal, the political subdivision of the state representing the sheriff or the state department representing the commissioner shall be awarded court costs and reasonable attorney fees.

2010 Acts, ch 1178, §14, 19; 2017 Acts, ch 69, §26, 27; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §2038