When the House State Affairs Committee voted yesterday to introduce the new bill to revamp the state’s concealed weapon permit laws, Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, objected on the grounds that he wants state lawmakers to keep their special privilege to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, Boise State Public Radio reports; the bill would eliminate that exception for elected officials.
 

Barbieri cited his recent instant fame for comments in a committee hearing that brought him an impromptu lesson on female anatomy from a doctor who was offering testimony, saying that’s an example of why lawmakers should be allowed to carry concealed guns without permits. “We are extremely visible,” Barbieri said. “And with instant media the way it is and everything else, the danger can be very profound for a very few days until things die off and I think we should have that freedom.” Boise State Public Radio has a full report online here.

The committee voted to introduce the measure, with Barbieri and fellow north Idaho Republican Shannon McMillan opposed.