Idaho: Permitless Carry Legislation Passes Final Vote!

Today, Senate Bill 1389, NRA-endorsed permitless carry legislation, passed the Idaho House of Representatives with a 54-15 vote.

SB 1389 will now be sent to Governor Butch Otter (R) for his consideration and signature. SB 1389 will positively affect law-abiding gun owners in the following ways:

• SB 1389 ensures that the existing and long-standing concealed weapon license (CWL) exemption applicable “outside the limits or confines of any city” only protects the rights of law-abiding individuals.
• SB 1389 exempts law-abiding Idahoans, who are twenty-one years of age or older, from having to obtain a CWL in order to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense within city limits.
• SB 1389 provides a mechanism for well-trained, law-abiding individuals who are eighteen years or age or older to obtain a CWL.

If Governor Otter signs SB 1389, Idaho will become the eighth state with permitless/constitutional carry, following West Virginia whose permitless/constitutional carry law will go into effect on June 5, 2016.

SB 1389 recognizes a law-abiding adult’s unconditional Right to Keep and Bear Arms for self-defense in the manner he or she chooses.  SB 1389 recognizes that self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible, to anticipate.  Accordingly, a law-abiding adult’s right to defend himself or herself in such situations should not be conditioned by government-mandated time delays and taxes. 

SB 1389 passed the legislature despite efforts by billionaire Michael Bloomberg's out-of-state gun control lobbyist to defeat the legislation through a misinformation campaign.

SB 1389 will NOT allow violent criminals and state or federally prohibited persons to lawfully carry concealed weapons in Idaho and it will NOT eliminate Idaho’s current concealed weapon licensing system and the benefits associated with obtaining a CWL.  Additionally, statistics indicate that SB 1389 will NOT lead to an increase in firearm accidents and misuse.  Idaho law already recognizes an individual’s right to openly carry a firearm without a permit or government-mandated training and does not require handgun training in order to obtain a standard CWL.  This bill ensures that Idahoans are not penalized for carrying a firearm for self-defense in a manner that best suits their needs, which may be concealed by a coat, or in a briefcase or purse. 

Please contact the legislators who voted to support your Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and thank them for their support.  Your NRA-ILA would especially like to thank Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and the Idaho Sherriff’s Association in addition to the following legislators:

Senator Curt McKenzie
Speaker Scott Bedke
Majority Leader Mike Moyle
Representative Tom Loertscher
Representative Judy Boyle

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill.