House State Affairs passes permitless concealed-carry bill on party-line vote

The House State Affairs Committee has voted along party lines, 13-4, in favor of SB 1389, the permitless concealed-carry bill. The four minority Democrats voted no; all Republican committee members voted yes.

Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said, “My constituents have been loud and clear about this and to the extent where I was surprised that not all of them were aware of my position on this issue. I will be supping this bill … My constituents by a vast majority believe that responsibility and the concerns about safety and common sense with respect to the power of weapons is something that they take for granted, and they recognize that that responsibility is personal and that everyone has to bear up that responsibility.”

The bill, which already has passed the Senate, allows Idaho residents age 21 or older to carry concealed guns inside city limits without a permit. It now moves to the full House with a recommendation that it “do pass.”