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Iowa legal term

Brandishing a dangerous weapon in Iowa Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session

In Iowa criminal law, “Brandishing a dangerous weapon” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Iowa criminal code.

What does “Brandishing a dangerous weapon” mean in Iowa criminal law?

“Brandishing a dangerous weapon” means the display or exhibition of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to use, intimidate, or threaten another person without justification, or the actual use of the dangerous weapon in a manner which is intended to or does cause serious injury or death without justification. (Iowa Code § 723A.1)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.