Gun laws in Idaho

Gun laws in Idaho regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Idaho in the United States.

Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant statutes Notes
State Permit to Purchase? No No
Firearm registration? No No
Assault weapon law? No No
Magazine Capacity Restriction? No No
Owner license required? No No
Concealed Carry permits issued? No Yes Idaho 18-3302 License needed to carry concealed, may carry openly in a vehicle or on foot. May carry concealed when outside the confines of a city or city limits, and not inside a vehicle while engaged in a lawful outdoor activity.[2]
Open Carry? Yes Yes May carry openly without permit/license.
State Preemption of local restrictions? Yes Yes Cities May regulate the discharge of firearms within their confines or limits.
NFA weapons restricted? No No Permitted as long as such possession is in compliance with all federal regulations
Peaceable Journey laws? No No Federal rules observed.
Location of Idaho in the United States

Idaho is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The local county sheriff shall issue a concealed weapons license to a qualified applicant within 90 days. Applicants may be required to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm, generally by having taken an approved training course or by having received training in the military. A permit is valid for five years; permits issued before July 1, 2006 are valid for four years. Idaho recognizes valid concealed carry permits from all states. A concealed weapon may not be carried at a school (primary or secondary) or at a school sponsored activity, in a courthouse, in a prison or detention facility, at a psychiatric hospital, or in certain other governmentally designated locations. It is unlawful to carry a concealed weapon while intoxicated.[1][2][3][4]

On July 1, 2013, Idaho legislation came into effect which created an "Enhanced Concealed Weapons License" designed to meet the criterion required by several other states to enter into agreements of reciprocal recognition of Concealed Carry Permits. Among the requirements listed in Idaho statute 18-3302, an applicant must:

As of July 1, 2014, persons with an Idaho "Enhanced Concealed Weapons Licence" (hereafter "Idaho Enhanced Permit") or qualified retired law enforcement officer will be allowed to carry concealed on a public college or university campus. However, this does not apply to student dormitories or residence halls nor does it apply to a public entertainment or sporting facility that has a seating capacity of 1,000+ persons.[6] Note that currently no clear legal precedent exists concerning the carrying of a concealed firearm on campus with any Concealed Weapons Licence other than the Idaho Enhanced Permit. At best, a person found in possession of a concealed weapon on a postsecondary campus who did not have an Idaho Enhanced Permit is liable civilly. At worst, he or she is liable criminally.

Open carry is legal in Idaho. A concealed weapons license is not required for open carry, nor for long guns (concealed or not). The firearm being openly carried must be clearly visible. A firearm can also be transported in a vehicle, as long as it is in plain view, or is disassembled or unloaded.[2] A concealed weapons license is not required when you are outside the confines of a city, and not in a motor vehicle while engaged in other lawful outdoor activities.[2]

Idaho has state preemption of firearms laws, local units of government cannot regulate the ownership, possession, use, transportation, or carry of firearms, firearm components or ammunition. The state constitution states that "No law shall impose licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition. Nor shall any law permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony."[7][8]

The possession of automatic firearms is permitted, as long such possession is in compliance with all federal regulations.[7]

References

  1. "Idaho statute 18-3302 – Issuance of Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons". .state.id.us. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Idaho Attorney General – Concealed Weapons Permit FAQs". .state.id.us. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  3. Idaho Concealed Carry CCW Laws and Information on carryconcealed.net
  4. "Idaho Concealed Carry Information on". Usacarry.com. July 1, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  5. "18-3302K. ISSUANCE OF ENHANCED LICENSES TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS.". Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  6. "Idaho: Concealed Carry Expansion and Youth Hunting Laws Effective Today". NRA-ILA. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Firearms Laws for Idaho at nraila.org" (PDF). Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  8. "Idaho State Law Summary at". Lcav.org. October 7, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.