Idaho: Important Pro Gun Legislation Passes House

Today, the Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 301 by an overwhelming 57 to 11 vote.  HB 301 is important NRA-backed legislation that seeks to reform Idaho's confusing and unwieldy concealed weapons licensing statute to remove inherent ambiguities and provide explicit statutory guidance for citizens and law enforcement alike.  

HB 301 does not seek to present an alternative to “constitutional carry,” which has been declared “dead” by legislative leadership.  It is not “constitutional carry lite.”  While the NRA supports the right of law-abiding individuals to possess concealed weapons without first having to obtain a government-issued permit, this legislation does not seek to achieve that goal.  The purpose of this legislation is to re-codify existing law in a manner that provides Idaho residents and law enforcement officials with clear and unambiguous guidance on the rights and restrictions contained in the provisions of Idaho Code regulating the carrying of concealed weapons.

The NRA believes that this re-write accomplishes the stated goal in four major ways.  First, HB 301 provides definitions for commonly used diction.  Second, this legislation—where possible—places statutory provisions in list format, as opposed to the burdensome paragraphical format that is currently used.  Third, the proposed re-write seeks to clarify provisions pertaining to carrying of concealed weapons outside the “limits or confines of any city.”  Fourth, the legislation seeks to lower CWL fees by providing that the sheriffs may only charge $20.00 plus the actual cost of administering the license.

Your NRA-ILA is committed to fighting to ensure law-abiding Idahoans are protected from unwarranted prosecution and excessive fees for merely wishing to exercise their right to carry concealed weapons in accordance with Idaho law.  We hope that you will join the NRA in supporting this important pro-gun legislation.  HB 301 will be referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee.  Please begin contacting members of this committee today and respectfully urge them to support HB 301.