© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Apple's latest iOS (17.4) is preventing our livestreams from playing. We suggest you download the free Boise State Public Radio app & stream us there while we work to troubleshoot the issue.

Bill To Expand Concealed Carry Of Weapons Passes Idaho House

Keith Ridler
/
AP Images
Charles Nielsen, 58, and his 11-year-old granddaughter, Bailey Nielsen, testify before a House panel at the Idaho Statehouse on Monday. Feb. 24, 2020.

A bill to allow most Americans to carry concealed weapons anywhere in Idaho is headed to the state Senate.

House Bill 516 would expand what gun rights activists call constitutional carry. The idea is that citizens should be able to carry weapons openly or concealed without a permit.

Idaho already allows state residents to carry just about anywhere, but out-of-staters face some restrictions. This bill, brought by Rep. Christy Zito (R-Hammett), would drop those restrictions for all U.S. residents who aren’t otherwise prohibited (such as felons) from carrying firearms.

Idaho has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the country. Still, some lawmakers backed by the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance have been working to strip away the few remaining regulations in state law.

The bill passed The Idaho House of Representatives Thursday on a 56-14 vote. It now heads to the Senate.

Follow Heath Druzin on Twitter, @HDruzin

Copyright 2020 Boise State Public Radio

Heath Druzin was Boise State Public Radio’s Guns & America fellow from 2018-2020, during which he focused on extremist movements, suicide prevention and gun culture.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.