Idaho Senators Co-Sponsor Concealed Carry Legislation

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are co-sponsoring legislation to expand gun rights of law-abiding citizens in states like Idaho.  The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2014 will allow an individual permitted or entitled by their state of residence to carry a concealed firearm the right to maintain that concealed carry in any other state that allows or does not prohibit the practice.  In addition, concealed carry permits will be treated like drivers' licenses, in that an individual will not have to obtain a separate permit for each state.  Introducing the bill along with Crapo and Risch are Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-South Dakota) and David Vitter (R-Louisiana).

 "Idahoans and law-abiding citizens across the country should not be denied the fundamental right to self-defense while they are traveling or temporarily away from home," said Crapo.  "This bill protects state sovereignty and does not establish national standards for a concealed carry, nor does it veto laws in those states that prohibit concealed carry permits."

"The Second Amendment is one of our fundamental rights," said Risch.  "Lawful gun owners should not have to a face a labyrinth of gun laws the second they cross into another state.  This bill will ensure citizens who are able to carry concealed weapons can exercise that right in any state that has also passed a concealed carry law."

Specifically, this bill protects states' rights by not establishing national standards for concealed carry; not providing for a national concealed carry permit; respects state laws concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried and types of firearms which may not be carried by the visiting individual; protects states' rights by not mandating the right to concealed carry in places that do not allow the practice, like Washington, D.C.; does not allow a resident to circumvent their home state's concealed carry permit laws; and, if under current law an individual is prohibited by federal law from carrying a firearm, they will continue to be prohibited from doing so under the bill.