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Idaho Bill Would Let People Carry Concealed Guns Without Permit

A bill in the Idaho legislature would allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons in the state without a permit.
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A bill in the Idaho legislature would allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons in the state without a permit.

A new bill under consideration in the Idaho legislature would allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons in the state without a permit.

Greg Pruett told a House panel that lawmakers don’t have to have a permit for their concealed weapons. He wants the same right extended to all citizens.

Pruett is the president of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, the group behind the bill.

Democratic Rep. Elaine Smith of Pocatello asked Pruett if passage of the bill would mean people wouldn’t have to have any training to carry a concealed firearm.

“You will find that most gun owners in the state of Idaho are very responsible, especially those who carry,” Pruett replied. “Technically, yes they would not have to go through any sort of formal training.”

But Pruett argued the government shouldn’t tell citizens when they’re well enough trained to defend themselves.

The bill would not change who is prohibited from owning firearms in Idaho. Nor would it change the “enhanced permit” requirement to carry a concealed weapon on Idaho university campuses.

Members of the House committee voted along party lines to introduce the bill, with Republicans for, Democrats against.

Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming allow concealed carry without a permit, also known as Constitutional Carry among gun rights advocates.

Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network

Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson reported for four years from the Northwest News Network's bureau in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho as the network's Inland Northwest Correspondent. From the politics of wolves to mining regulation to small town gay rights movements, Jessica covered the economic, demographic and environmental trends that have shaped places east of the Cascades. Jessica left the Northwest News Network in 2015 for a move to Norway.