Guns, knives, and weapons are generally prohibited on school grounds, as provided by school policies and state and federal laws.

Although children in grades 1-12 are generally not eligible for a concealed carry weapon permit, older students on college campuses may be eligible for a concealed carry permit (CCP) in some states—also known as a concealed handgun license (CHL), license to carry (LTC), concealed carry license (CCL), or concealed carry weapon (CCW).

A student’s right to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds may be governed by state and federal laws, as well as school policies.

In Iowa, the possession of guns, knives, and other weapons on school grounds is strictly regulated by both state statutes and federal law. Under Iowa Code section 724.4B, it is unlawful to carry dangerous weapons, including firearms, on the grounds of a school. This applies to all educational institutions, from elementary to high school. However, there are exceptions for law enforcement and authorized personnel. Regarding higher education institutions, such as colleges and universities, the decision to allow concealed carry on campus is typically left to the individual institution's policies. While Iowa does issue concealed carry permits to individuals who meet certain criteria, these permits do not necessarily grant the right to carry a weapon on school property. Federal law also plays a role, as the Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) generally prohibits firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds, with specific exceptions. Therefore, even if older students on college campuses are eligible for a concealed carry permit, they must adhere to both state law and the policies of their respective educational institution regarding the carrying of weapons on school property.