How buying a gun in Davenport works
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.
In Iowa, no permit is required to purchase a handgun from a dealer since 2021, though the Scott County Sheriff still issues optional permits that can expedite the process. Federal background checks are conducted by dealers, with age requirements of 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns. Online firearm orders are shipped to the Iowa dealer chosen by the buyer.
Dealers in these communities all work for Davenport-area buyers:
- Bettendorf
- Eldridge
- LeClaire
- Blue Grass
- Walcott
- Buffalo
- Pleasant Valley
- Long Grove
- Donahue
Carrying a gun in Scott County
Iowa allows permitless carry, either openly or concealed, for individuals aged 18 and older as of July 1, 2025. The optional nonprofessional permit to carry weapons, issued by the Scott County Sheriff, is valid for five years and recognized by other states. Restrictions apply in schools, courthouses, and on posted private property, with employers setting their own rules.
Hunting near Davenport
Iowa deer hunting emphasizes shotguns and straight-wall cartridges. The first gun season runs from December 5 to 9, and the second from December 12 to 20, with archery in October and November and late muzzleloader season extending into January. Legal firearms include shotguns, handguns with barrels of at least four inches, muzzleloaders, and rifles chambered for expanding straight-wall cartridges from .350 to .500 caliber producing at least 500 foot-pounds.
Davenport is in Zone A for Iowa deer hunting, with nearby public lands like the Mississippi River Wildlife Area offering excellent hunting opportunities.
Shooters and hunters in Davenport benefit from nearby ranges and public hunting lands, providing ample opportunities for practice and outdoor pursuits.
Public shooting ranges near Davenport
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 set by the agency.
Source: State wildlife agency and public-land range listings, September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.