Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Concealed Carry in Idaho.’ Guns in Public. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 22 December

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Concealed Weapons Permitting in Idaho

Idaho is a "shall issue" state, meaning that a county sheriff must issue a concealed weapons license if the applicant meets certain qualifications. Under state law, a license to carry a concealed weapon shall be issued to an applicant unless he or she:

- Is ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under state or federal law;
- Is formally charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
- Has been adjudicated guilty in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
- Is a fugitive from justice;
- Is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance as defined by federal law;
- Is, or has been adjudicated as, based on substantial evidence:

Lacking mental capacity, per state law;

Mentally ill, per state law;

Gravely disabled, per state law; or

An incapacitated person, per state law;
- Is or has been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions;
- Is or has been adjudicated guilty of or received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence for one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor, unless three years have elapsed since disposition, or pardon has occurred prior to the date on which the application is submitted;
- Has had entry of a withheld judgment for a criminal offense which would disqualify him or her from obtaining a concealed weapons license;
- Is an alien illegally in the United States;
- Has renounced his or her U.S. citizenship;
- Is under age 21 (…);
- Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a crime which would disqualify her or him from obtaining a concealed weapons license; or
- Is subject to a protection order issued under state law that restrains the person from harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner of the person or child of the intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child.

A county sheriff may require an applicant to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm.

In addition, an applicant may meet this requirement if he or she "[i]s licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in [Idaho] or a county or municipality, unless the license has been revoked for cause."

The fee for original issuance of a license is $20. The fee for renewal of a license is $15.

A person may not carry a concealed firearm without a license, except in his or her place of abode, fixed place of business or on property in which the person has any ownership or leasehold interest. The requirement to secure a license to carry a concealed weapon also does not apply to any person outside the limits or confines of any city while engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, trapping or other lawful outdoor activity.

Firearm Safety Training

In Idaho, a county sheriff may require an applicant for a concealed carry permit to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm in any one of the following ways (the applicant may select which one):

- Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Fish and Game or a similar agency of another state;
- Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course, or any National Rifle Association hunter education course;
- Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, university, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Idaho State Police ("ISP");
- Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of a law enforcement agency or security enforcement agency;
- Presentation of evidence or equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or military service; or
- Completion of any firearms training or training or safety course or class conducted by a state certified or National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor.

Duration & Renewal

Concealed weapons licenses issued before July 1, 2006 are valid for four years from the date of issue. Concealed weapons licenses issued on or after July 1, 2006 are valid for five years from the date of issue. Licenses may be renewed for five-year periods, and renewal applicants must complete an application and undergo a new background check.

Disclosure or Use of Information

Upon issuing a license under the state law, the county sheriff will notify the ISP on a form or in a manner prescribed by the ISP. Information relating to an applicant or licensee received or maintained pursuant to state law by the county sheriff or ISP is confidential and exempt from disclosure under state law.

Idaho recently enacted a law that makes confidential any information relating to a retired law enforcement officer that is maintained or received pursuant to a concealed weapon permit or application for a permit.

Reciprocity

Any person who has a valid permit from a state or local law enforcement agency or court authorizing him or her to carry a concealed weapon in another state does not need to obtain a concealed weapons license under state law. However, a permit issued in another state will only be considered valid if the permit is in the licensee's physical possession. Under state law, the state attorney general is authorized to negotiate reciprocal agreements with other states in order to recognize out-of-state licenses to carry concealed firearms…

[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]

Last accessed at:
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-idaho/

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