Gun laws in Idaho regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Idaho in the United States.
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 required to purchase? | No | No | ||
| Firearm registration? | No | No | ||
| Semi-automatic weapon law? | No | No | ||
| Magazine capacity restriction? | No | No | ||
| Owner license required? | No | No | ||
| Permit required for concealed carry? | N/A | No | I.C. § 18-3302 I.C. § 18-3302K | Idaho is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 18 years or older. Regular and Enhanced permits are issued. Permitless carry took effect on July 1, 2016. |
| Permit required for open carry? | No | No | I.C. § 18-3302 | May carry openly without permit. |
| Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law? | Yes | Yes | I.C. § 19-202A | |
| State preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | I.C. § 18-3302J | |
| NFA weapons restricted? | No | No | ||
| Peaceable Journey laws? | No | No | ||
| Background checks required for private sales? | No | No |
As of July 1, 2020, a concealed weapons license is not required for U.S. citizens and active military members. From July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020 permitless carry applied only to Idahoans age 18 and older and active military members. Previously, from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2019 permitless carry applied to Idahoans aged 21 and older and active military members within city limits; the minimum age was lowered to 18 on July 1, 2019 and was also expanded to any weapon. [1] [2] [3] Permitless carry outside city limits was already legal for all persons aged 18 or older. [4] [5] [6] [7] Idaho was the ninth "constitutional carry" or permitless concealed carry state, with Vermont being the first. [8] [9]
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. [10] [11] [12] [13]
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 License" (hereafter "Idaho Enhanced Permit") or qualified retired law enforcement officer are 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. [15]
In 2014, Idaho passed HB 69, which declares certain gun control to be unconstitutional, and made it unlawful for any state assets to go toward the enforcement of federal gun laws, an act of de facto nullification. [16] [17]
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. [11]
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." [18] [19]
The possession of automatic firearms is permitted, as long as such possession is in compliance with all federal regulations. [18]
Stand-your-ground was passed in 2018. [20] Previously, stand-your-ground was the law in practice based on jury instructions for homicide or battery cases. [21]
Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon (CCW), is the practice of carrying a weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in close proximity. CCW is often practiced as a means of self-defense. Following the Supreme Court's NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022) decision, all states in the United States were required to allow for concealed carry of a handgun either permitlessly or with a permit, although the difficulty in obtaining a permit varies per jurisdiction.
Gun laws in Florida regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Florida in the United States.
Gun laws in Oklahoma regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Oklahoma in the United States.
In the United States, the term constitutional carry, also called permitless carry, unrestricted carry, or Vermont carry, refers to the legal public carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a license or permit. The phrase does not typically refer to the unrestricted carrying of a long gun, a knife, or other weapons. The scope and applicability of constitutional carry may vary by state.
Gun laws in Utah regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Utah in the United States.
Gun laws in Arkansas regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Arkansas in the United States.
Gun laws in Wyoming regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Wyoming in the United States. Gun laws in Wyoming rank as some of the most permissive in the country.
Gun laws in the District of Columbia regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in Washington, D.C.
Gun laws in Indiana regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of Indiana. Laws and regulations are subject to change.
Gun laws in Kansas regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Kansas in the United States.
Gun laws in Maine regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of Maine.
Gun laws in Mississippi regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Mississippi in the United States. Gun laws in Mississippi are among the most permissive in the country, with no license or background check required to openly carry handguns most anywhere in the state.
Gun laws in Missouri regulate the sale, possession and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Missouri in the United States.
Gun laws in Montana regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Montana in the United States.
Gun laws in Nevada regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Nevada in the United States.
Gun laws in New Mexico regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of New Mexico in the United States.
Gun laws in North Dakota regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of North Dakota in the United States.
Gun laws in South Dakota regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of South Dakota in the United States.
Gun laws in Washington regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Washington in the United States.
The history of concealed carry in the United States is the history of public opinion, policy, and law regarding the practice of carrying concealed firearms, especially handguns.