Nate, Scott release new version of ‘constitutional carry’ gun bill

Reps. Heather Scott and Ron Nate have released a second draft bill on “constitutional carry,” or allowing Idahoans to carry concealed guns without a permit. The new version doesn’t replace the previous version, they said; it’s just an alternative approach. “We’re going to put ‘em both out there and see which dog hunts,” Nate said.

The previous version simply added this line to the list of places where concealed-weapon permit rules don’t apply: “Outside the confines of any building within city limits.” Under a 2015 law, Idaho already allows people to carry concealed guns without a permit outside city limits.

The new version of the bill is considerably more extensive. It “includes agreed upon language with the Idaho Sheriff’s Association and others,” Nate and Scott said in a news release. That version says any legal gun owner age 21 or older can carry a concealed gun without a permit, but adds a list of exceptions for people charged with certain crimes, unlawfully using drugs, adjudicated as mentally ill, subject to protection orders, and more. You can see the new version here .

Like the previous version, the new one leaves Idaho’s current concealed weapons permit laws on the books, but essentially makes them optional.