Idaho: Permitless Carry Legislation Scheduled for Committee Hearing

Next Monday, March 14, Senate Bill 1389, NRA-endorsed permitless carry legislation, is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee at 8:00am.  Time is crucial.  Please contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee TODAY and politely urge them to SUPPORT SB 1389.  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact the committee members!

This legislation would recognize a law-abiding adult’s unconditional Right to Keep and Bear Arms for self-defense in the manner he or she chooses.  SB 1389 recognizes that self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible, to anticipate.  Accordingly, a law-abiding adult’s right to defend himself or herself in such situations should not be conditioned by government-mandated time delays and taxes.  It is already lawful to open carry a firearm in the state of Idaho without government-mandated permitting and taxes.  Idahoans should not be penalized for the method they feel most comfortable defending themselves. 

Unfortunately, out-of-state billionaire and former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has once-again launched a misinformation campaign aimed at undermining the rights of law-abiding Idahoans.  Bloomberg-funded gun control groups are misrepresenting facts and statistics in an attempt to persuade your elected officials to oppose SB 1389. 

It is imperative that you contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee to set the record straight on permitless/constitutional carry.

SB 1389 will NOT allow violent criminals and state or federally prohibited persons to lawfully carry concealed weapons in Idaho.

The provisions of SB 1389 only apply to an individual who is: (1) at least 21 years of age; (2) a resident of Idaho; and (3) not  prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law.  If a prohibited felon possesses a concealed firearm in Idaho, they are committing a state and federal felony.  Law-enforcement officers have the ability to nearly instantaneously verify whether an individual who possesses a firearm is a criminal.  SB 1389 only protects the rights of law-abiding individuals.

Statistics indicate that SB 1389 will NOT lead to an increase in firearm accidents and misuse.

Some opponents to SB 1389 claim that the lack of government-mandated firearm training prior to exercising your Right to Keep and Bear Arms will lead to an increase in firearm accidents and misuse.  This claim is simply unsupported by the facts.  Eight states already allow law-abiding individuals to possess a concealed firearm for self-defense without a permit.  An analysis of widely available data shows no direct correlation between government-imposed training mandates for concealed carry and firearm-related accidents.  This will come as no surprise to responsible, law-abiding gun owners.

SB 1389 will NOT eliminate Idaho’s current concealed weapon licensing system, nor will it jeopardize the benefits of obtaining a concealed weapon license.

Many opponents of SB 1389 state that a significant majority of Idahoans support the current concealed weapon licensing system and the benefits associated with obtaining a concealed weapon license.  The NRA doesn’t disagree that Idaho’s current licensing system benefits the individuals who have the time and money to obtain a concealed weapon license.  That is why the current licensing processes are left fully intact.  If an individual wishes to obtain a license in order to avail themselves of reciprocity with other states and the NICS exemption, then they may still do so. 

Once again, with the end of the 2016 legislative session drawing near, time is crucial!  Don't let an out-of-state billionaire push his New York City style gun-control on law-abiding gun owners in Idaho!  Please click the “Take Action” button above to contact members of the Senate State Affairs Committee in SUPPORT of SB 1389.