Idaho Gun Laws
## Idaho Gun Laws
## Overview
🏆 Idaho's Gun Law Ranking
* #48 in the country for gun law strength (unchanged from last year)
* Gun law strength score: 5
Idaho Gun Laws
Overview
🏆 Idaho's Gun Law Ranking
48 in the country for gun law strength (unchanged from last year)
Gun law strength score: 5/100
📊 Key Statistics
Gun violence rate: 17 deaths per 100k residents
National average: 14.2 deaths per 100k residents
High rates of gun suicides and household firearm ownership
🛡️ Foundational Laws
❌ No universal background checks
❌ No concealed carry permit required
❌ No Extreme Risk law
❌ "Shoot First" law in place
❌ No comprehensive secure storage/Child Access Prevention laws
🏭 Gun Industry and Product Safety
❌ Assault weapons not prohibited
❌ No consumer safety requirements for handguns
❌ Ghost guns not regulated
❌ High-capacity magazines not prohibited
❌ No microstamping requirement
❌ Special immunity for gun industry exists
🚫 Guns in Public Spaces
❌ No mandatory crime gun tracing
❌ No restrictions on carry after violent offenses
❌ Guns allowed on college campuses (mandated)
❌ Guns allowed at state capitol/demonstrations
❌ Guns allowed in bars
❌ Guns allowed in K-12 schools (staff/permit holders)
❌ Open carry not regulated
❌ Weak concealed carry authority
🚷 Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals
✅ Some prohibitors in place (e.g., felons)
❌ No minimum age requirement for all firearms
❌ No relinquishment laws for domestic abusers
❌ No school threat assessment teams required
👮 Policing and Civil Rights
❌ No funding for gun violence victim services
❌ Local [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/alabama-gun-laws/) preempted
❌ No Office of Violence Intervention
❌ No police use of force data collection required
❌ No Violence Intervention Program funding
🏪 Sales and Permitting
❌ No authority to deny gun purchases for public safety
❌ "Charleston Loophole" not addressed
❌ No dealer license required
❌ No lost/stolen gun reporting required
✅ Mental health record reporting to background check system
❌ No notification of failed background checks
❌ No sales records sent to law enforcement
❌ No training required for gun purchases
❌ No waiting periods for gun purchases
🔄 Recent Negative Trends
Passed Shoot First law
Mandated guns on campus
Repealed concealed carry permit requirement
Eliminated minimum age protections
Removed ban on public carry after violent offense
💡 Areas for Improvement (Nearly All Policies)
Introduce waiting periods and training requirements
Implement universal background checks
Reinstate concealed carry permit requirement
Enact Extreme Risk law
Repeal "Shoot First" law
Implement secure storage laws
Strengthen assault weapon and high-capacity magazine regulations
Enhance gun industry accountability
Improve public carry regulations
Expand domestic violence protections
Allow local [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/gun-silencer-laws/)
Establish violence prevention programs and funding
Implement age restrictions for firearm purchases
Detailed
Idaho Gun Laws Quick Facts
Constitutional Carry?
Yes - Idaho is recognized as a constitutional carry state.
Open Carry Permitted?
Yes - Idaho allows individuals (residents or non-residents) to openly carry firearms, including handguns if they are over the age of 18 and legally allowed to possess and use a firearm.
Carry In Vehicle?
Yes - Idaho allows individuals to carry firearms in their vehicles, either concealed or openly.
Carry In State Park?
Yes - Individuals are allowed to carry firearms in state parks, [national parks](https://thegunlaws.com/gates-of-the-arctic-national-park/), and wildlife areas.
Carry In Restaurants?
Yes - We were not able to find legislation prohibiting carrying into restaurants or establishments that sell alcohol. However, there is specific language stating that you cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while carrying a firearm.
No Weapon Sign Enforced?
No - We could not find language that states no weapons signs have the rule of law.
Must Notify Officer?
No - Individuals are not required to inform law enforcement officers if they are concealed carrying.
Idaho CCW Reciprocity List
States Honoring CCW
Alabama
Alaska\
Arizona\
Arkansas
Colorado\
Delaware\
Florida\
Georgia
Indiana\
Iowa\
Kansas\
Kentucky\
Louisiana\
Maine\
Michigan\
Minnesota\
Mississippi
Missouri\
Montana
Nebraska\
Nevada\
New Hampshire
New Mexico\
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio\
Oklahoma\
Pennsylvania\
South Carolina\
South Dakota
Tennessee\
Texas\
Utah\
Vermont
Virginia\
Washington\
West Virginia\
Wisconsin\
Wyoming\
\Restricted Reciprocity with Idaho
States NOT Honoring CCW
California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Washington D.C
Honors These States CCW Permits
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington D.C
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
How Reciprocity Works In Idaho
Reciprocity agreements play a crucial role in concealed carry laws across states. For Idaho residents, understanding where their permit is honored is essential for safe and legal travel. Here's how reciprocity works in Idaho:
Reciprocity Agreements In Idaho
Idaho has entered into reciprocity agreements with several states, allowing permit holders to carry concealed in those states. It's important to note that not all states have the same level of reciprocity, and some states may have restrictions on carrying firearms from Idaho.

Idaho: Where Is CCW Allowed?
In Idaho, individuals with a concealed carry permit can carry their firearms in various places, including:
State parks
State and national forests
Roadside rest areas
Vehicles
Places Not Allowed
There are specific places in Idaho where carrying firearms is prohibited, including:
Public or private schools
State courthouses
Juvenile detention facilities
Adult correctional facilities
Any place where carrying [firearms is prohibited by Federal Law](https://thegunlaws.com/federal-private-firearm-transfer-laws/)
18-3302C Prohibited Conduct
This section of Idaho law outlines prohibited conduct related to firearms. It's essential for permit holders to be aware of these restrictions to avoid legal issues.
18-3302D Possessing Weapons or Firearms on School Property
Another important section of Idaho law pertains to possessing weapons or firearms on school property. Understanding these regulations is crucial to stay compliant with the law.
Idaho: Conceal Carry Laws
Open Carry
Idaho has no restrictions on open carry, making it common for individuals to openly carry firearms. The minimum age for open carry in Idaho is 18 years old.
Carry-In Vehicle
Idaho law allows individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry it in their vehicles, either concealed or openly. According to Idaho Statute Section 18-3302, individuals can carry concealed weapons on or about their person without a license in their place of abode or fixed place of business, on property they own or lease, and on private property with permission.
Carrying firearms in vehicles is considered legal as vehicles are considered property that allows for the carrying of firearms.
Carry-In State Parks
Idaho permits the carrying of firearms in state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas, and roadside rest areas.
Carry-In Restaurants
[Idaho gun laws do not specifically prohibit carrying](https://thegunlaws.com/idaho-constitutional-carry/) firearms into restaurants or establishments that sell alcohol. However, individuals should be aware of their alcohol consumption while carrying firearms, as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while carrying is not permitted.
Constitutional Carry
Idaho offers constitutional carry for RESIDENTS ONLY, allowing them to carry concealed without a permit.
No Weapon Signs Enforced
Idaho [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/) do not address the enforcement of "No Weapons" signs, and there are no specific legal penalties for entering private property or business with such signs. However, these signs may have no force of law unless they are posted in areas specifically mentioned by the law as being off-limits for carrying firearms.
Must Notify Officer
[Idaho gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/idaho-open-carry/) do not require individuals to inform law enforcement officers if they are carrying a firearm.
Conclusion
Idaho's concealed carry [laws provide a relatively lenient environment for responsible gun](https://thegunlaws.com/cities-with-strictest-gun-laws/) owners. The state's constitutional carry policy and reciprocity agreements with various states allow citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights while respecting other states' laws. Understanding the specific regulations and restrictions is crucial for safe and legal concealed carry.
FAQs
Q1: Can non-residents apply for a concealed carry permit in Idaho?
No, non-residents can only apply for a concealed carry permit at the Ada County Sheriff's office or Canyon County.
Q2: Is there a minimum age requirement for open carry in Idaho?
Yes, the minimum age for open carry in Idaho is 18 years old.
Q3: Can I carry my firearm in state parks in Idaho?
Yes, Idaho allows individuals to carry firearms in state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas, and roadside rest areas.
Q4: Are "No Weapons" signs enforced by law in Idaho?
Idaho [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/private-gun-sales-law/) do not address the enforcement of "No Weapons" signs, and there are no specific legal penalties for entering a property with such signs.
Q5: Who is prohibited from owning a gun in Idaho?
Idaho law prohibits certain persons from owning or possessing firearms including convicted felons, those convicted of violent misdemeanors, people found guilty except for insanity, respondents to protection orders, minors under 18 for handguns, those who have renounced U.S. citizenship, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged military, and people currently confined to a mental institution.
Q6: Which state has the loosest [gun laws?](https://thegunlaws.com/gun-purchase-laws/)
The state generally regarded as having the least restrictive, most lenient [gun laws in the United States](https://thegunlaws.com/states-with-weakest-gun-laws/) is Arizona. Arizona allows constitutional carry without permits, has open carry without licenses, has [state preemption of local gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/states-with-strictest-gun-laws/), has no registration requirements, no magazine capacity limits, few restrictions on purchasing, and relatively few prohibited firearms compared to other states.
Q7: Do I need to inform law enforcement if I am carrying a firearm in Idaho?
No, Idaho [gun laws](https://thegunlaws.com/federal-gun-laws/) do not require individuals to inform law enforcement officers if they are carrying a firearm.