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Idaho Rejects Curbs On Federal Agents Lawmakers Agonize, Then Defeat Bill Requiring Feds To Get Weapons Permits

Lindsay Woodcock And Betsy Z. Russell S Staff writer

For more than an hour, state lawmakers debated Wednesday whether to force federal agents to get concealed weapons permits from county sheriffs.

But the Idaho House of Representatives defeated the idea on the grounds it would hamstring federal law officers.

The bill was sponsored by Lt. Gov. Butch Otter and carried on the House floor by Rep. Ralph Gines, R-Boise.

“If agents of federal agencies come into the state and want to engage in law enforcement activities, they either must enter into a contract with the attorney general or the county sheriff or obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon,” Gines said.

Opponents said it is ludicrous to require federal drug agents working on sting operations to notify local law enforcement authorities or to apply for gun permits.

“Would this require federal agents in pursuit of a criminal to stop at the border and check the gun?” asked Rep. Bruce Newcomb, R-Burley.

Gines said agents would have to plan ahead.

Opponents of the bill dubbed it lacking in common sense and pointed out that the Secret Service agents who accompanied President Clinton on his recent visit to Boise would have been required to apply for permits, which take weeks to obtain.

But supporter Rep. Bill Sali, R-Meridian, said, “Should the Secret Service be able to come in here and do whatever they want? I don’t think so. That’s why I suggest to all of you Idaho is a sovereign republic. We have a duty under the 10th Amendment to take care of matters like these.”

One lawmaker noted that legislators themselves are exempt from the requirement for concealed weapon permits, but Rep. Tom Dorr, R-Coeur d’Alene, said that doesn’t matter. If federal agents had to run for election and have their home addresses publicized as lawmakers do, that’d be different, he said.

Dorr was the only North Idaho representative who voted for the bill. It failed, 50-19.

Otter pushed the legislation as a states’ rights issue.

Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls, said he thought it was nothing more than politics. “Why don’t we pick a better issue to make a political statement on, like welfare reform - something that really makes a difference?” he asked.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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