Idaho Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Idaho have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Idaho does not ban assault weapons, ghost guns, or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Idaho does not require background checks on private transfers, including at gun shows. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply to licensed dealer sales. |
| Is Idaho a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Idaho has Stand‑Your‑Ground/Castle Doctrine protections. |
| What kind of restrictions does Idaho have? |
|
| Does Idaho have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. Secure storage required in certain situations; lost/stolen reports mandatory. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Idaho? | ✅ Yes. No state-imposed limit on quantities. |
| Does Idaho have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. Idaho does not have ERPO/red flag legislation. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Idaho? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required by the state. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Idaho does not require purchase permits. |
| Does Idaho have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. No waiting period, subject only to background check processing. |
🚫 No. Idaho does not ban assault weapons, ghost guns, or high-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. Idaho does not require background checks on private transfers, including at gun shows.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply to licensed dealer sales.
✅ Yes. Idaho has Stand‑Your‑Ground/Castle Doctrine protections.
- ℹ️ No waiting periods
- ℹ️ No permit or background check for purchases
- ℹ️ Constitutional carry since July 1, 2016 (≥21), expanded to 18+ July 2019 }
- ℹ️ Dealers must be state‑licensed
- ℹ️ Ghost gun parts regulated; lost/stolen reporting & child access rules apply
✅ Yes. Secure storage required in certain situations; lost/stolen reports mandatory.
✅ Yes. No state-imposed limit on quantities.
🚫 No. Idaho does not have ERPO/red flag legislation.
- ℹ️ Must be 18+ to possess/purchase any firearm; no federal exceptions.
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required by the state.
🚫 No. Idaho does not require purchase permits.
🚫 No. No waiting period, subject only to background check processing.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Idaho allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older. |
| Does Idaho allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Permitless carry is legal for anyone 18 and older; enhanced permits available. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry for self-defense. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places, personal vehicles, and private property (with permission). |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, federal buildings, courthouses, and posted “no firearms” areas. |
| States honored? | ✅ Idaho honors permits from all states that recognize its own. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Idaho’s Enhanced CWL is recognized in the following states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | ✅ Yes. Idaho allows concealed carry of other weapons with a permit. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. Enhanced permits available for reciprocity with other states. |
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older.
✅ Permitless carry is legal for anyone 18 and older; enhanced permits available.
✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal to carry for self-defense.
✅ Most public places, personal vehicles, and private property (with permission).
🚫 Schools, federal buildings, courthouses, and posted “no firearms” areas.
✅ Idaho honors permits from all states that recognize its own.
✅ Idaho’s Enhanced CWL is recognized in the following states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered.
✅ Yes. Idaho allows concealed carry of other weapons with a permit.
ℹ️ Optional. Enhanced permits available for reciprocity with other states.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & Reciprocity | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Local Classes & Academies | |
| Hunter Education |
Idaho Leadership
- Born: February 15, 1954 (Emmett, ID)
- Term Started: January 7, 2019
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
- Born: May 20, 1951 (Idaho Falls, ID)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 1999
- Committees:
- Finance (Ranking Member)
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Budget
- Born: May 3, 1943 (Milwaukee, WI)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2009
- Committees:
- Foreign Relations (Ranking Member)
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Intelligence