Current Idaho law allows people to carry concealed without a permit outside city limits, but the Senate has introduced a bill that would allow people to carry within city limits in Idaho.
On March 2, Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie introduced the measure into the Senate State Affairs Committee. He says the bill would create uniformity between counties and cities.
“I think it’s a good policy from the state,” McKenzie says of the bill. “We have a very strong constitutional protection of the right to carry and this is consistent with that.”
Individuals under the age of 21, convicted felons, and those with a diagnosed mental illness are prohibited from carrying concealed under Idaho law. These restrictions will remain in place if the permitless carry bill passes.
“If you are concealed carrying within county limits, as you’re allowed to do, and you walk across the street into city limits or drive your car into city limits, you’re not unintentionally breaking the law” if the bill passes, according to McKenzie.
The bill is co-sponsored by several members of the state’s House of Representatives. It must clear a legislative hearing. With all of the support, proponents of the bill are confident it will pass both the House and the Senate.
The proposed bill is the third to be introduced this year with the goal of getting rid of the need for concealed carry permits within city limits.
The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance has been pushing for permitless carry in the state and recently held a rally at the state Capitol.
If the bill passes, Idaho would join a growing number of states that are getting rid of the need for concealed carry permits—a concept known as “constitutional carry.” Proponents of constitutional carry advocate for the ability of citizens to carry firearms, either openly or concealed, without the need for a government-issued permit.
The current proposed legislation raises an important issue. There are many arguments on either side, but in the end it’s the public safety that matters most. It’s important that anyone carrying concealed is trained in safe handling and proper self-defense tactics.
It may be our constitutional right to defend our lives with a firearm, but serious training is still required in order to carry and use a handgun responsibly.
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