Expert: Robert P. Firriolo - 4/28/2010

Question
i WAS CONVICTED OF SIMPLE ASSAULT IN 2007, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE AND POSSESS A FIREARM IN THE STATE OF IOWA

Answer
It depends on whether your charge involved domestic violence. A person convicted of misdemeanor simple assault is not prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law unless that conviction involved domestic violence.

For purposes of the federal Gun Control Act, a crime of domestic violence involves an assault against a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victim.

Regarding Iowa state law, you do not specify whether "firearm" means long gun or handgun. While there is no permit required to purchase or possess a rifle or shotgun in Iowa, one is required to purchase a handgun. A permit will not be issued to somebody with a history of repeated acts of violence or with a conviction for various assault charges excluding simple assault. See this NRA-ILA state law pamphlet for more information: http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/IASL.pdf .