May is a multi-purpose month in Idaho, according to seven official proclamations (so far) signed by Gov. Butch Otter. May 2013 in Idaho has now been officially proclaimed as 2^nd Amendment Protection Month, Building Safety Month, Community Action Month, Electrical Safety Month, Lupus Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

“This time of year is our peak for proclamations,” said Jon Hanian, Otter’s press secretary; May and June are the busiest months. The governor signs lots of proclamations declaring official days, weeks or months, usually at the request of various organizations. But no organization requested today’s “2^nd Amendment Protection Month” proclamation, Hanian said. “In this case, he initiated this. … This was something he wanted to do.”

“He wants gun manufacturers to know that while there are some states going after the 2^nd Amendment, in Idaho we plan to uphold it,” Hanian said. “We want them to know that here in Idaho, the welcome mat is out.”