Idaho lawmakers already approved three pro-gun proposals waiting to be signed by Gov. Brad Little (R), while a fourth is stagnated in committee.
One, Senate Bill 1291, targets companies that refuse to engage in normal business with the firearm industry. This is a growing trend on Wall Street and certain sectors where it is fashionable to reject interactions with firms involved in the manufacture, sale or distribution of weapons.
Public contracts in Idaho would not be permitted with these discriminatory companies. Those firms that enter contracts with the state would be required to disclose if they have an adversarial relationship with Second Amendment-related businesses.
There are also protections built in for other industries victimized by these misguided boycotts. This measure specifically includes energy companies along with the weapons business.
Then there’s SB 1374. This is geared to protect the rights of law-abiding state residents to possess firearms on public property during specific events and occasions.
Private groups would be prohibited from banning weapons legally carried unless the event is invitation only, a business gathering that charges a fee for entry or is readily apparent that it is not open to the general public.
According to the bill, restrictions may only be in place for private events that meet the designated criteria.
It adds, “For any such private event, commercial or other event, it must appear to a reasonable person that the general public does not have unrestricted access to the designated public property or any subset of such property that is normally and habitually open to the public.”
Also headed to the governor’s desk is SB 1317. This creates a Gadsden Flag/Don’t Tread on Me state license plate that would be available to Idaho drivers. Besides the obvious appeal of the design to many, proceeds from its sales would be directed to school firearms safety training programs.
It is obvious that Idaho is not following the same beaten path taken by California and more recently Colorado. The Golden State leads the way in rustling up new means to suppress the Second Amendment even for the most upstanding citizens.
And Colorado is hot on its heels through mimicking its larger neighbor’s anti-gun measures.
But not all is well in Idaho either as a pro-gun proposal that sailed through the House has now stagnated in the Senate. SB 1418 is an alternative to HB 415, the school carry bill that would clear the way for armed educational personnel to protect schools from active shooter incidents.
The House version was quickly approved. Proposed by Rep. Ted Hill (R), it would have allowed school staff, those contracted through the system and volunteers who possess enhanced concealed carry permits to carry on campus.
This could be done without regard to local policies. Districts would also be prohibited from placing “gun-free zone” signage on campuses.
This measure cleared the House in January.
But the same cannot be said for SB 1418. Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder (R) made clear that he preferred to hold the bill in committee, the political method of sentencing a proposal to death.
Despite a defection from a gun rights opponent to supporting the school safety bill, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 5-4 in agreement with Winder to table the measure.
That bill would have mandated school districts develop policies for permitting staff with the enhanced concealed carry permits to carry on campuses. They would also have been required to undergo further training, annual requalification and active shooter training.
But that measure will have to wait for now. However, the trend in Idaho for gun rights is positive overall, and lawmakers appear to consistently side with the right to keep and bear arms.
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