Idaho Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. RECIPROCITY NOTES: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington State recognize Idaho’s ENHANCED permit only. Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and South Carolina recognize Idaho’s RESIDENT permits only. Out-of-state residents must have their state concealed weapons license/permit on their person when carrying a concealed weapon in Idaho --Idaho Code § 18-3302(5)(g). |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Outright Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
There is no state permit required for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun, or handgun. MORE |
Possession
No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Carrying
Idaho permits the open carrying of firearms. Idaho law permits both residents and non-residents who are at least 18 years old to carry concealed weapons, without a carry license, outside the limits of or confines of any city, provided the person is not otherwise disqualified from being issued a license to carry. A person may also carry concealed weapons on or about his or her person, without a license, in the person’s own place of abode or fixed place of business, on property in which the person has any ownership or leasehold interest, or on private property where the person has permission to carry from any person who has an ownership or leasehold interest in that property. State law also allows any resident of Idaho or a current member of the armed forces of the United States to carry a concealed handgun without a license to carry, provided the person is over 18 years old and not disqualified from being issued a license to carry concealed weapons under state law. An amendment to state law that takes effect on July 1, 2020 changes the reference in the above law from “a resident of Idaho” to “any citizen of the United States.” MORE |
Machine Guns, Assault Weapons, Magazines, Ammunition
Idaho has no state laws regulating "assault weapons" or "large capacity" magazines. It is lawful to possess, purchase, or sell a machine gun that is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations. MORE |
Antiques and Replicas
Idaho statutes are silent on antique and replica firearms. They are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying purposes. |
Preemption
Pursuant to Idaho Code § 18-3302J, unless specifically authorized by state law, a “county, city, agency, board or any other political subdivision” of the State is prohibited from adopting or enforcing “any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance which regulates in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition.” MORE |
Restoration of Rights
Idaho has a restoration of rights procedure for persons under a mental health-based firearm disability. Gun rights lost due to a felony conviction may be restored upon final discharge from sentence, a pardon, or a “set aside” of a conviction or guilty plea and dismissal of charges under Idaho Code § 19-2604(1)(b). MORE |
Range Protection
Shooting ranges are protected against any type of lawsuit claiming nuisance or noise if the range was in operation before the adjoining property owner purchased their property. MORE |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to operate a firearm in a “careless, reckless, or negligent manner or without due caution and circumspection” when such operation results in discharge and injury to any person. Idaho Code § 18-3312. MORE |
SOURCES: Idaho Code §§ 18-3301 et seq., 31-872, 36-401, 36-1508, 46-1008; 50-343. |
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
On Wednesday, January 31th, the House passed House Bill 415, relating to firearms on school property, after a vote of ...
Thursday, January 25, 2024
On Wednesday, January 24th, the House State Affairs Committee passed House Bill 415, relating to firearms on school property, out ...
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
An NRA-backed bill in Idaho that would allow public school teachers and staff to arm themselves on school ...
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Tomorrow, January 24th, the House State Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 415 relating ...
Monday, January 8, 2024
Today, January 8th, the Idaho Legislature begins the 2024 legislative session.
Friday, April 7, 2023
Last night, the Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2023 session. This session, NRA worked with pro-gun lawmakers ...
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Yesterday, Governor Brad Little signed the NRA-backed House Bill 295, to prohibit payment processors from requiring the use of a firearms-specific ...
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Today, the Senate voted 34-1 to pass House Bill 295, to prohibit payment processors from requiring the use of a firearms-specific ...
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Today, the House promptly voted 60-10 to pass Senate Bill 1173, after the Senate sent it over last ...
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Yesterday, the Senate State Affairs Committee passed House Bill 190, one of two bills from the House to ...