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shudder, you spent time looking it up on wikipedia why not look up the specific statute and respond accordingly to the OP's query:
724.4
Carrying weapons.
3. A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the person, if the person does not use the knife in the commission of a crime:
a. If the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches in length, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
b. If the knife has a blade exceeding five inches but not exceeding eight inches in length, commits a serious misdemeanor.
http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=IowaCode&ga=83
bottom line do not carry your 4 four foot broadsword about the neighbourhood while walking the pooch.
ipse
724.4 CARRYING WEAPONS.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who
goes armed with a dangerous weapon concealed on or about the person,
or who, within the limits of any city, goes armed with a pistol or
revolver, or any loaded firearm of any kind, whether concealed or
not, or who knowingly carries or transports in a vehicle a pistol or
revolver, commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
2. A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the
person, if the person uses the knife in the commission of a crime,
commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
3. A person who goes armed with a knife concealed on or about the
person, if the person does not use the knife in the commission of a
crime:
a. If the knife has a blade exceeding eight inches in length,
commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
b. If the knife has a blade exceeding five inches but not
exceeding eight inches in length, commits a serious misdemeanor.
4. Subsections 1 through 3 do not apply to any of the following:
a. A person who goes armed with a dangerous weapon in the
person's own dwelling or place of business, or on land owned or
possessed by the person.
b. A peace officer, when the officer's duties require the
person to carry such weapons.
c. A member of the armed forces of the United States or of
the national guard or person in the service of the United States,
when the weapons are carried in connection with the person's duties
as such.
d. A correctional officer, when the officer's duties require,
serving under the authority of the Iowa department of corrections.
e. A person who for any lawful purpose carries an unloaded
pistol, revolver, or other dangerous weapon inside a closed and
fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to
be concealed on the person.
f. A person who for any lawful purpose carries or transports
an unloaded pistol or revolver in a vehicle inside a closed and
fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to
be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment
where the pistol or revolver will not be readily accessible to any
person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.
g. A person while the person is lawfully engaged in target
practice on a range designed for that purpose or while actually
engaged in lawful hunting.
h. A person who carries a knife used in hunting or fishing,
while actually engaged in lawful hunting or fishing.
i. A person who has in the person's possession and who
displays to a peace officer on demand a valid permit to carry weapons
which has been issued to the person, and whose conduct is within the
limits of that permit. A person shall not be convicted of a
violation of this section if the person produces at the person's
trial a permit to carry weapons which was valid at the time of the
alleged offense and which would have brought the person's conduct
within this exception if the permit had been produced at the time of
the alleged offense.
j. A law enforcement officer from another state when the
officer's duties require the officer to carry the weapon and the
officer is in this state for any of the following reasons:
(1) The extradition or other lawful removal of a prisoner from
this state.
(2) Pursuit of a suspect in compliance with chapter 806.
(3) Activities in the capacity of a law enforcement officer with
the knowledge and consent of the chief of police of the city or the
sheriff of the county in which the activities occur or of the
commissioner of public safety.
k. A person engaged in the business of transporting prisoners
under a contract with the Iowa department of corrections or a county
sheriff, a similar agency from another state, or the federal
government.
As long as you have a valid weapons carry permit you can carry a blade of any length inside city limits unless there is an ordinance that says otherwise.
