DES MOINES, Iowa — What began as a simple permit inspection turned into a multi-violation stop after Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit (ISPCMVU) troopers uncovered both mechanical and firearm violations on a truck hauling an oversized load.

The incident occurred during a routine commercial vehicle check, where officers discovered that the driver did not have the proper permit for transporting the load. Troopers also found a cracked rim and a firearm violation, according to a post shared by ISPCMVU on October 26, 2025.

“We often stop trucks to check for proper permits,” troopers wrote. “In this case, not only did the driver not have a permit for their load, they were illegally in possession of a firearm in addition to the cracked rim. You never know what you may find on a routine permit check!”

While possessing a firearm in a commercial motor vehicle is not inherently illegal, the agency clarified that certain factors can make it unlawful — including intoxication, felony convictions, possession alongside controlled substances, or lack of U.S. citizenship.

^{Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit}

“For those asking, while Iowa is often referred to as a ‘constitutional carry state,’ there are still limits,” the post continued. “Other factors and circumstances could make a person, who just so happens to be operating a CMV, ineligible to possess firearms.”

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the driver faces citations for the permit and equipment violations, and additional review of the firearm infraction is underway.

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