Tuesday, the Idaho House rejected a bill that would have barred people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns for two years. Similar laws have been passed in 28 states, including the Republican dominated Utah Legislature.
Rep. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) sponsored the bill, and says the bill was inspired by the story of a southwest Idaho man convicted with a domestic violence misdemeanor who later murdered his wife.
Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donohue worked on that case, and supported the bill.
Wintrow also pointed to an opinion from the state’s Attorney General who argued the bill would be legal if enacted.
But 39 GOP lawmakers stopped the measure in its tracks, many citing concerns over expanding gun control. Twenty Republicans joined all 11 House Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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