Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2025
Idaho Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly; however, reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. RECIPROCITY NOTES: Delaware, Minnesota, Nevada, Washington State and Wisconsin recognize Idaho’s ENHANCED permit only. Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and North Dakota recognize Idaho’s RESIDENT permits only. Out-of-state residents must have their state concealed weapons license/permit on their person when carrying a concealed weapon in Idaho --Idaho Code § 18-3302(5)(g). |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Outright Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Hardware Restrictions/Bans
Idaho does not have laws restricting “assault weapons,” “large capacity” magazines, machine guns, personally made/unserialized firearms, or accelerators (bump stocks, forced reset triggers). |
Ammunition
Idaho does not regulate or restrict ammunition or require background checks for ammunition purchases. Idaho prohibits selling or giving to any minor under the age of 16 any gunpowder of any description or any shells or fixed ammunition of any kind, except shells loaded for use in shotguns and for use in rifles of .22 caliber or smaller, without the written consent of the parents or guardian of the minor. Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3308. |
Licensing or Permitting of Possession/Acquisition
Idaho does not require a license or permit to possess or acquire a firearm. The State Constitution, Art. I, § 11 on the right to keep and bear arms, includes a statement prohibiting “licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition.” |
Registration
Idaho’s Constitution, Art. I, § 11 on the right to keep and bear arms, includes a statement prohibiting “licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition.” A 2023 law prohibits “a state government entity or local government, special district, or other political subdivision or official, agent, or employee of the state or other government entity” from keeping or causing to be kept “any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or any list, record, or registry of the owners of those firearms, unless the list or record is one kept during the regular course of a criminal investigation and prosecution or as otherwise required by law. Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3326A(2). |
Possession Standards
Idaho’s prohibited persons law applies to persons with felony convictions; other provisions restrict possession of firearms by minors and carrying by persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs. MORE |
Right to Carry
Open carry is legal: the concealed weapons law at Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3302(4)(a) and (b) excludes “any deadly weapon located in plain view” and “any lawfully possessed shotgun or rifle.” Idaho has a permitless carry law and issues licenses to carry concealed weapons. MORE |
Preemption
Unless specifically authorized by state law, a “county, city, agency, board or any other political subdivision” of the State is prohibited from adopting or enforcing “any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance which regulates in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition.” Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3302J. MORE |
Private Transfers
Idaho makes it a crime to sell, directly or indirectly, a firearm to a minor under the age of 18 without the written consent of the parent or guardian of that minor. It is a crime to sell or give to any minor under the age of 16 firearms of any description, gunpowder of any description, or shells or fixed ammunition of any kind, except shells loaded for use in shotguns and for use in rifles of .22 caliber or smaller, without the written consent of the parents or guardian of that minor. Idaho Code Ann. §§ 18-3302A, 18-3308. Supplying, selling or giving possession of a firearm to person knowing that he or she is a gang member is a crime. Idaho Code Ann. § 18-8505. |
Stand Your Ground
Idaho’s use of force law includes the following: “In the exercise of the right of self-defense or defense of another, a person need not retreat from any place that person has a right to be. A person may stand his ground and defend himself or another person by the use of all force and means which would appear to be necessary to a reasonable person in a similar situation and with similar knowledge without the benefit of hindsight.” Idaho Code Ann. § 19-202A(3). |
Red Flag Law
Idaho does not have a “red flag” law. |
SOURCES: Idaho Code Ann. |
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
On Monday, April 7th, the Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die from the 2025 legislative session.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Yesterday, January 6th, the Idaho Legislature began the 2025 legislative session.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Last night, the Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2024 session. This session, NRA worked with pro-gun lawmakers to pass ...
Thursday, March 21, 2024
No summary available
Thursday, March 14, 2024
There have been big wins in the Gem State this week for the Second Amendment! Anti school carry ...
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
On Wednesday, March 13th, the Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 1418, which goes above and beyond ...
Monday, March 11, 2024
On Friday, Senate State Affairs Chairman Guthrie introduced his own version of H 415 - Senate Bill 1418, which goes ...
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
On Monday, February 26th, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1291 by a floor vote of 28-7.
Friday, February 23, 2024
On Friday, February 23rd, Senate Bill 1374 relating to concealed weapons was introduced. This bill clarifies Idaho policy ...
Thursday, February 15, 2024
This week your NRA was in Idaho testifying on behalf of pro-gun legislation, and two bills have advanced ...