Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, told the House State Affairs Committee that it's already illegal to carry a concealed weapon when a person is intoxicated, and stressed the requirements for a concealed weapons permit in Idaho - age 21, or in some cases 18; some firearms competency; and lack of a criminal record. However, his guns-on-campus bill wouldn't limit guns to concealed weapons permit holders; anyone could openly carry one.

Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, told Simpson, "I attend all the home basketball and football games. There has always been some kind of an altercation. The Boise Police have done an excellent job. ... I'm not going to vote for your bill for this reason: I don't want to sit next to someone that's carrying a gun. These altercations, when they do occur, get into fisticuffs, and it does take two policemen to spread them. And if one guy has a gun, I can assure you that they'll probably pull the gun out. ... I can't see that, unless you put sideboards on - no guns at athletic games.

Simpson responded, "I'll tell you, you sit next to people who carry guns in restaurants now. You shop in supermarkets where people carry weapons. How is sitting next to someone at a football game different? ... Concealed weapons holders are very responsible people." Bilbao responded that he has a concealed weapons permit and he sometimes carries a pistol - but he never takes it to athletic competitions.