The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a district court ruling and found the lifetime restriction against forcible felons to possess guns, subject to a governor’s pardon, didn’t violate the Constitution and is consistent with national firearms regulations.
Cedar Rapids man convicted in Malik Sheets fatal shooting in 2020 pleaded Tuesday to gun charge in federal court. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
A Marion man was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison for possessing multiple machine gun conversion devices. Prosecutors said he had 18 devices, which convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, as defined under federal law.
A Cedar Rapids man, who was armed and attempted to hold a pregnant woman at his Marion repair business last year, was convicted in for firearms and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
July 1 is the beginning of the fiscal year and the date new laws take effect, unless otherwise stated. Iowa’s majority-Republican General Assembly this year passed more than 170 laws dealing with education, firearms, crime, health care, paid family leave and more. Here’s what goes into effect this week.
However, due to federal restrictions, 18- to 20-year-olds would still be prohibited from buying a handgun from a federally licensed firearm dealer in Iowa, but would be allowed to purchase pistols and revolvers through a private sale.
Lawmakers also advanced legislation that would lower the minimum age to purchase a handgun from 21 to 18 in the state.
Also, under a proposed bill, the death penalty could be used for killing a law enforcement officer
The U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District had nearly twice as many trials in 2024 and is ranked second for cases filed among the other 25 federal districts of its size. The district includes Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Fort Dodge and Sioux City.
A Cedar Rapids man, just convicted of gun and other charges last week, now faces more charges. He admitted during calls from jail to shooting at an occupied house in February, according to complaint.
A 19-year-old was sentenced to over 4 years in federal prison for supplying stolen gun to another during a “rival gang” shooting incident. Nobody was injured in the July 9, 2023, gunshots fired on the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. Authorities found firearms and ammunition in the teen’s home, which led to the federal charges.
Christopher Wuchter, 38, of Earlville, who assaulted his girlfriend and her child over a puppy, was sentenced to illegally possessing firearms while being a drug user. Authorities found drugs and 30 firearms -- two were sawed-off shotguns -- in his home.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, during a visit to Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, highlighted drug and firearms cases prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa. Garland has been visiting federal prosecutors office around the country to talk with law enforcement about their efforts.
A Cedar Rapids man, who led police on foot chase after officers found a loaded handgun and marijuana, was sentenced this week to more than 5 years in federal prison. An investigation found he had possessed at least 10 guns since 2018.
An Iowa City man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded semi-automatic handgun that toddler discharges, shooting himself in the left eye. The child died later that day on July 3, 2022.
© 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved.
Daily Newsletters