Critical Action Needed on Two Firearms Rights Bills in Idaho!!

Your immediate action is needed to assist in the passage of two important bills in the Idaho State Senate!  Please contact your State Senator immediately and urge him or her to support Senate Bill 1402 and Senate Bill 1401!

Senate Bill 1402 (sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20)), which would amend existing law to allow possession of a loaded firearm concealed in a vehicle or outside city limits, was to be heard in the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee on Wednesday, March 1.  However, this NRA-sponsored legislation was removed from the agenda and is being denied a public hearing due to opposition from some law enforcement officials!

They are claiming that SB 1402 will arm criminals and gang members and make society more dangerous for law enforcement officers and citizens.  Such claims are ridiculous!  This bill only applies to law-abiding citizens, that is, individuals who can legally own and possess firearms and it merely changes how these individuals can carry.  Criminals are carrying guns now and will continue to do so regardless of the law.

Under current law, law-abiding citizens can already carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle as long as it is in plain view.  But leaving a firearm in plain view when a vehicle is parked unattended is not appropriate; the firearm should be stored where passers-by (and potential thieves) cannot see it.  Further, placing a loaded firearm in plain view on the seat of your car where it is within reach of passengers, possibly children, is not responsible; but this is what is required under current law for those who don't want to go through the process to obtain a government permit.  The inside of your car is like an extension of your home and should be treated accordingly.

Senate Bill 1402 also would allow the same law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon when outside city limits.  Again, under current law, any person who can lawfully possess a firearm can already carry it anywhere as long as it is in plain view.  Further, such a law-abiding citizen can also carry concealed if he or she is engaged in any "lawful outdoor activity" outside city limits.  SB 1402 would simply delete the word "outdoor" so any law-abiding citizen engaged in lawful activity outside city limits would not need a government permit.

Senate Bill 1402 is very narrow legislation that doesn't change WHO can carry a firearm but only changes, slightly, HOW law-abiding citizens can carry in certain circumstances. 

It is critical that you immediately contact your State Senator to express your displeasure that this bill was not given a public hearing.  Urge your Senator to support SB 1402 and ask that he or she approach Senate Leadership and the Judiciary Committee to request that this bill be given a public hearing.

Senate Bill 1401 (also sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20)), is the NRA-sponsored "Emergency Powers" legislation that will prevent government officials from imposing restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage, display or use of firearms and ammunition during any state of emergency.  Most citizens are aware that some government officials were stripping law-abiding citizens of their firearms in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  This bill will ensure that such abuses will never occur in the State of Idaho. 

Senate Bill 1401 passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday and will likely be coming up for a vote on the Senate floor early next week.

Urge your Senator to vote in favor of Senate Bill 1401 when it comes up for a vote on the Senate floor!

Phone Numbers:

For more contact information, please use the "Write Your Representatives" feature at http://www.nraila.org/