Idaho Gun Laws

Idaho exempts from its concealed-weapons-license requirement any deadly weapon concealed by a person who is over 18, is a U.S. citizen or current member of the U.S. armed forces, and is not disqualified under § 18-3302(11)(b)-(n). This permitless concealed-carry authority applies statewide, including within city limits, since 2020.

"Any deadly weapon concealed by a person who: (i) Is over eighteen (18) years of age; (ii) Is a citizen of the United States or a current member of the armed forces of the United States; and (iii) Is not disqualified from being issued a license under paragraphs (b) through (n) of subsection (11) of this section."

Idaho Code § 18-3302(4)(f) statute

SB 1389 (2016), enacted as Chapter 208, established Idaho's first permitless concealed carry by exempting Idaho residents 21 and older from the concealed-weapons-license requirement within city limits. Signed March 24, 2016; effective July 1, 2016.

"AN ACT RELATING TO CONCEALED WEAPONS; AMENDING SECTION 18-3302, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING CONCEALED WEAPONS."

Idaho Session Laws 2016, Chapter 208 (SB 1389) statute

The standard Concealed Weapons License is issued by the county sheriff to applicants 21 or older (or 18-20 under subsection (20)) who pass a background check, demonstrate firearm familiarity (hunter education, NRA course, law-enforcement course, military service, or other training the sheriff deems appropriate), and pay a $20 issuance fee. The license is valid for 5 years and may be renewed for $15.

"The sheriff must, within ninety (90) days after the filing of a license application, either issue the license or deny the application."

Idaho Code § 18-3302 (Standard CWL) statute

The Enhanced Concealed Weapons License (ECWL) requires applicants to be 21 or older and to complete an in-person handgun course of at least 8 hours, including classroom instruction on Idaho firearms law and live-fire training of at least 98 rounds. The ECWL is valid for 5 years and is recognized by more states than the standard CWL.

"the course must be at least eight (8) hours in duration and be taught face to face and not by electronic or other means... Live fire training, including the firing of at least ninety-eight (98) rounds by the student."

Idaho Code § 18-3302K (Enhanced CWL) statute

The Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification publishes the official per-state reciprocity status for the standard and Enhanced Idaho CWLs, hosted as individual PDFs signed by each counterpart state's licensing authority.

"Idaho acknowledges the validity of all other states' concealed weapons licenses/permits."

Idaho State Police — BCI Concealed Weapons License Reciprocity ag

Idaho's concealed-weapons-license statute applies only to weapons 'carried on or about the person in a manner not discernible by ordinary observation.' Weapons carried in plain view, and lawfully possessed shotguns and rifles, are explicitly excepted, so open carry by any non-prohibited adult requires no license.

"Weapon defined—'concealed weapon' means any deadly weapon carried on or about the person in a manner not discernible by ordinary observation."

Idaho Code § 18-3302(3) and (4) statute

Idaho's concealed-weapons-license requirement does not apply to any deadly weapon concealed in a motor vehicle. Additionally, any U.S. citizen or service member 18 or older who is not federally prohibited may carry a concealed loaded handgun on the person inside a vehicle under § 18-3302(4)(f). No distinction is drawn between glove box, console, trunk, owned vehicle, or rental.

"Any deadly weapon concealed in a motor vehicle."

Idaho Code § 18-3302(4)(c) and (4)(f) statute

Idaho has no specific 'guns-in-trunks' statute granting employees a right to store firearms in personal vehicles parked on an employer's property. Private employers may set their own workplace and parking-area firearm policies. State preemption under § 18-3302J does not extend to private employers.

"It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state."

Idaho Code Title 18 Chapter 33 — no employer-parking-lot statute statute

Idaho recognizes any facially valid concealed-weapons license or permit issued by another state. Per the ISP BCI per-state PDFs (signed by each counterpart state's licensing authority, dated 2018-2025), 26 states honor both the standard CWL and Enhanced CWL, an additional 11 states honor only the Enhanced CWL, and 12 states honor neither. Idaho does not require a formal reciprocity agreement to recognize an out-of-state permit.

"Idaho acknowledges the validity of all other states' concealed weapons licenses/permits."

ID State Police BCI — CWL Reciprocity Matrix (per-state PDFs, 2024-2025) ag

Idaho codifies a castle-doctrine presumption: a person who unlawfully and by force or stealth enters or attempts to enter a habitation, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle is presumed to intend to commit a felony, and the lawful occupant is presumed to have reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily injury justifying defensive force.

"a person who unlawfully and by force or by stealth enters or attempts to enter a habitation, place of business or employment or occupied vehicle is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit a felony."

Idaho Code § 19-202A(5) / § 18-4009 statute

Idaho's justifiable-homicide statute authorizes the use of deadly force in resisting an attempt to murder or commit a felony or great bodily injury upon any person, in lawful defense of a habitation, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle against one manifestly intending to commit a felony or to enter by force to offer violence, and in defense of oneself or family members when there is reasonable apprehension of felony or great bodily injury. The statute defines 'habitation,' 'place of business or employment,' and 'vehicle,' and contains the same forced/stealthy-entry felonious-intent presumption mirrored in § 19-202A.

"Homicide is justifiable when committed by any person in any of the following cases: 1. When resisting any attempt to murder any person, or to commit a felony, or to do some great bodily injury upon any person."

Idaho Code § 18-4009 statute

Idaho is a stand-your-ground state: a person exercising the right of self-defense or defense of another need not retreat from any place that person has a right to be, and may use all force and means that would appear necessary to a reasonable person in similar circumstances. In any prosecution, the burden is on the State to prove the use of force was not justifiable beyond a reasonable doubt.

"In the exercise of the right of self-defense or defense of another, a person need not retreat from any place that person has a right to be. A person may stand his ground and defend himself."

Idaho Code § 19-202A(3) statute

Idaho law does not impose a general duty to proactively inform a law-enforcement officer that you are carrying a firearm. Standard CWL and Enhanced CWL holders must carry the license while carrying and present it on demand of a peace officer.

"The license must be carried by the licensee whenever the licensee is carrying a concealed weapon."

Idaho Code Title 18 Chapter 33 — no duty-to-disclose statute statute

It is unlawful to possess a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon on the property of a public or private K-12 elementary or secondary school, in school-provided transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity regardless of location. Limited exceptions exist for peace officers, qualified retired law enforcement officers, school district employees authorized by the board of trustees, and adults with firearms secured in vehicles.

"It shall be unlawful to possess a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon while on the property of a school."

Idaho Code § 18-3302D statute

It is a misdemeanor — regardless of permit or permitless-carry status — to carry a concealed weapon in a courthouse, juvenile detention facility, jail, or public or private school. Exceptions apply for peace officers, on-duty security personnel, and those carrying with the authority of the person in control of the facility.

"Carry a concealed weapon in a courthouse; juvenile detention facility or jail; public or private school."

Idaho Code § 18-3302C statute

Public colleges and universities in Idaho may not prohibit possession of firearms by Enhanced CWL holders or retired-LEO licensees, except inside a student dormitory or residence hall and inside any building of a public entertainment facility with seating capacity of at least 1,000 persons when the venue is properly posted.

"shall not extend to regulating or prohibiting the otherwise lawful possession, carrying or transporting of firearms or ammunition by persons licensed under section 18-3302K."

Idaho Code § 18-3309 (college campuses) statute

Idaho is a non-point-of-contact state for federal background checks: federally licensed firearm dealers run the federally required check directly through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Idaho does not require a state-level universal background check; private, in-state sales between non-prohibited individuals do not require a background check under state law.

"Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) initiate NICS checks before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed individual."

18 U.S.C. § 922(t) / ATF — federal NICS atf

Federal law requires a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) to verify a handgun buyer is at least 21 and a long-gun buyer is at least 18. Idaho imposes no additional state-level minimum purchase age beyond federal law; private in-state transfers between unlicensed adults are not subject to these federal minimums.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal FFL minimums) atf

Idaho makes it unlawful to directly or indirectly sell a weapon (including a pistol, revolver, or gun) to a minor under 18 without the written consent of the minor's parent or guardian. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or jail up to 6 months.

"It shall be unlawful to directly or indirectly sell to any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years any weapon without the written consent of the parent or guardian of the minor."

Idaho Code § 18-3302A statute

Idaho has no firearm registration requirement and no state firearm registry. The state preemption statute bars counties, cities, and political subdivisions from imposing registration.

"no county, city, agency, board or any other political subdivision of this state may adopt or enforce any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance which regulates in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition."

Idaho Code § 18-3302J (preemption) statute

Idaho has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. No statute in Title 18 Chapter 33 authorizes a court to remove firearms from a person based on a risk-of-harm petition outside the ordinary criminal-process or civil-protection-order framework.

"It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state."

Idaho Code Title 18 Chapter 33 — no ERPO statute statute

Idaho has no state assault-weapon ban and preempts local governments from adopting one. Regulation of firearms, ammunition, and components is reserved to the legislature.

"It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state."

Idaho Code § 18-3302J statute

Idaho imposes no magazine-capacity limit, and the preemption statute bars local governments from imposing one.

"no county, city, agency, board or any other political subdivision of this state may adopt or enforce any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance which regulates in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition."

Idaho Code § 18-3302J (preemption); no capacity statute statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration and tax stamp. Idaho imposes no additional state restriction on NFA items lawfully held under federal law.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Idaho preempts the entire field of firearms regulation, prohibiting counties, cities, agencies, boards, and political subdivisions from regulating sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying, or storage of firearms, components, or ammunition. Limited exceptions allow counties to regulate firearm discharge within their boundaries and cities to regulate discharge within city limits.

"It is the legislature's intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state."

Idaho Code § 18-3302J statute

SB 1430 (2026), enacted as Chapter 295, amended § 18-3302J to add a civil penalty and an express private cause of action against local governments that violate Idaho's firearms preemption. Signed and effective April 2, 2026.

"Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding preemption of firearms regulation, to provide a penalty, and to provide for a cause of action."

Idaho Session Laws 2026, Chapter 295 (SB 1430) statute

Effective July 1, 2016, Idaho enacted permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older inside city limits via SB 1389 (Chapter 208), making Idaho the ninth permitless-carry state.

"AMENDING SECTION 18-3302, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING CONCEALED WEAPONS."

Idaho Session Laws 2016, Chapter 208 (SB 1389) statute

Effective July 1, 2020, HB 516 (Chapter 315) extended permitless concealed carry to all U.S. citizens 18 and older — including non-residents and persons inside Idaho city limits — by adding the current § 18-3302(4)(f) exception.

"Concealed weapons law revision regarding exceptions for U.S. citizens."

Idaho Session Laws 2020, Chapter 315 (HB 516) statute

HB 48 (2025), enacted as Chapter 25 and effective July 1, 2025, amended § 18-3302K to allow retired law-enforcement officers to continue instructing the ECWL safety course after they are no longer employed by a department.

"Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding course instruction for an enhanced license to carry a concealed weapon."

Idaho Session Laws 2025, Chapter 25 (HB 48) statute

SB 1430 (2026), Chapter 295, signed and effective April 2, 2026, strengthened Idaho's firearms preemption (§ 18-3302J) by adding a civil penalty for political subdivisions that violate preemption and authorizing a private cause of action by injured persons.

"Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding preemption of firearms regulation, to provide a penalty, and to provide for a cause of action."

Idaho Session Laws 2026, Chapter 295 (SB 1430) statute

HB 573 (2026), Chapter 159, signed March 26 and effective July 1, 2026, expanded the categories of qualified instructors who may teach the Idaho law and use-of-force component of the Enhanced CWL course under § 18-3302K.

"Allows certain persons to provide instruction on Idaho law regarding firearms and the use of deadly force for the enhanced license to carry a concealed weapon."

Idaho Session Laws 2026, Chapter 159 (HB 573) statute

HB 573 expanded the categories of qualified instructors who may teach the Idaho-law and use-of-force component of the Enhanced CWL course. Signed March 26, 2026 by Governor Little.

Idaho Session Laws 2026, Chapter 159

SB 1430 amended § 18-3302J to add a civil penalty against political subdivisions that violate Idaho's firearms preemption and to authorize a private cause of action by injured persons. Signed and effective April 2, 2026.

Idaho Session Laws 2026, Chapter 295

HB 48 amended § 18-3302K to permit retired law-enforcement officers to continue teaching the Enhanced CWL safety course after retirement. Signed March 11, 2025 by Governor Little.

Idaho Session Laws 2025, Chapter 25

HB 516 extended permitless concealed carry to all U.S. citizens 18 and older, including non-residents, and removed the city-limits limitation. Signed March 25, 2020 by Governor Little. This is the current § 18-3302(4)(f).

Idaho Session Laws 2020, Chapter 315

Idaho enacted its first permitless concealed carry, exempting Idaho residents 21 and older from the concealed-weapons-license requirement inside city limits. Signed March 24, 2016 by Governor Otter.

Idaho Session Laws 2016, Chapter 208