Posted on 02/08/2024 2:47:59 PM PST by Twotone
The Idaho Legislature’s 2024 regular session is now one month old. Four pieces of legislation are in the works concerning firearms and gun rights.
The first is a draft by Senator Brian Lenney (R-Nampa) that would add “criminal immunity” to Idaho law, giving legal cover to a person who acts in self-defense. It is an element of what has become known as “stand your ground” law. This legislation has multiple co-sponsors which include:
Sen. Scott Herndon (R-Dist.1) Sen. Phil Hart (R-Dist. 2) Sen Ben Toews (R-Dist. 4) Sen. Tammy Nichols (R-Dist. 10) Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Dist. 13) – Sponsor Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld (R-Dist. 24) Rep. Heather Scott (R-Dist. 2A) Rep. Tony Wisniewski (R-Dist. 5B) Rep. Josh Tanner (R-Dist. 14B) Rep. James Holtzclaw (R-Dist. 20B) Rep. Tina Lambert (R-Dist. 23B) Rep. Julianne Young (R-Dist. 30B)
According to the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance’s website, this legislation would:
Allow someone who has been arrested in Idaho, and believes they acted in self-defense, to invoke a pre-trial hearing within 14 days of arrest, to force the government to show evidence that a crime has been committed. If an Idahoan is prosecuted, but a jury of their peers finds them Not Guilty by reason of self-defense, a judge can award attorney’s fees to the Idahoan, to be paid for by the county they were prosecuted in.
This legislation has not yet been granted its initial hearing, in which a committee decides whether to allow an idea to move forward and receive a bill number. Because that has not happened, this legislation does not appear on the Idaho Legislature’s website at this time.
Another idea, which has moved forward to receiving a number, is a college campus carry bill. This legislation, Senate Bill 1228, would repeal the language of the current §18-3309 Idaho Code and replace it with a new section of the same number. This bill is sponsored by Senator Dan Foreman (R-Viola).
If passed and signed into law, the modified language would read,
“18-3309. CONCEALED WEAPONS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. The board of regents of the university of Idaho, the board of trustees of the state colleges and universities, the board for career technical education, and the boards of trustees of each of the community colleges established under chapter 21, title 33, Idaho Code, shall not regulate or prohibit the otherwise lawful possession, carrying, or transporting of firearms or ammunition by any person carrying a concealed weapon pursuant to section 18-3302, 22 18-3302H, or 18-3302K, Idaho Code.”
The third gun bill concerns militias in Idaho and is also sponsored by Foreman, with cosponsor Senator Scott Herndon (R-Sagle): Senate Bill 1240. This legislation would also repeal an entire section, §46-802 Idaho Code, and replace it with new language under the same code number. If passed and signed into law, the updated language would read:
“46-802. MILITARY — MILITIA. No city or town shall raise or appropriate any moneys toward arming or equipping, uniforming, or in any other way supporting, sustaining, or providing drill rooms or armories for any body associated as a military company or organization, except for the regularly organized national guard, the unorganized militia when called into service of the state or of the United States, and those that are regularly recognized and provided for by the laws of the state of Idaho and the United States.”
The fourth piece of firearms legislation this session is House Bill 415. If passed and signed into law, it would allow staff in K-12 Idaho schools who hold an enhanced concealed carry permit to carry firearms on school property. It is sponsored by Representative Ted Hill (R-Eagle). Idaho Dispatch reported on this bill last week.
Former State Senator Christy Zito told the Idaho Dispatch,
“The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance and Senator Brian Lenney are working again this year on Enhanced Stand Your Ground. We were not successful last year as Senator Guthrie (Senate State Affairs Chair), would not give the bill a full hearing. We are working hard to make this happen this year. Every American, when in the horrific situation of needing to meet deadly force with deadly force, should never have to face what Kyle Rittenhouse and others have. Self-defense is a first freedom.
HB415, which allows teachers to carry in our schools, is important. There is no time for our law enforcement to respond to a live shooter. Our protection and that of those around us is our responsibility. Restoring the God-given right of our teachers to protect themselves and their students is huge. Schools with our precious children should not be a soft target.”
Assistant Minority Leader, Representative Lauren Necochea (D-Boise), said in an article,
“…HB 415 circumvents local control and gives blanket permission to employees and volunteers who have taken a one-time concealed carry course and shot 98 rounds. Schools must allow them to carry firearms regardless of shooting skill, temperament, mental state, visual acuity, length of time since they took a course, or other factors.”
My state is the one to the left of Idaho physically and politically. :-(
It used to be mine, too. Still room here... ;-)
This is great legislation. Hopefully, it will cause even more liberal scum to flee in terror.
With any luck it may also deter Commiefornia liberal scum from moving here.
On the other coast the Massachusetts state legislature...which is *literally* 95% Rat...is about to pass a bunch of gun laws which are all *absolutely* unconstitutional. And our filthy bull dyke Governor has promised to sign it as soon as it reaches her desk.
My state is the one to the left of Idaho physically and politically. :-(
Uh...there are two of them, wa and or
Why is he against militias?
(Not tweaking you...sincerely curious)
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