In Iowa to buy a handgun of any kind you need to get a permit to purchase a hand gun from the sheriff of the county in which you reside. You don't need a permit to purchase a shotgun or rifle, however if you have a permit it ususally makes getting the transaction completed a little bit easier.

To get the permit you just need to go to the Sheriff's Office. Fill out at simple form and they then run a NICS Check on you. it is very simillar to the check the store runs by calling an 800 number. When you go to the store or gun shop and show your permit then they will not have to call the 800 number as your permit is your background check and is good for one year. there is a small fee for the permit, I think it is $5.

hope this helps you out