Idaho Gun Laws

Last Updated: June 2, 2020 Disclaimer:  While the information provided here is legal in nature, it is not to be construed as legal advice, and is for educational and entertainment purposes only.   With so many gun laws varying from state to state, it can be tricky to keep track of and navigate the gun laws of just your own state. Fortunately, Idaho only has a handful of gun laws you’ll need to know about in order to be a responsible law-abiding gun owner. We’ll give you the short and sweet version of the gun laws so you’ll be able to buy and own all the guns your heart desires! (Sorry, wallet.)

Here’s how to buy a gun

To purchase a firearm in Idaho, there are slightly different requirements when it comes to handguns vs long guns like our beloved AR-15s.

Buying that handgun

To buy a handgun, there are some requirements you’ll need to meet.  Luckily, you do not need a permit to purchase a firearm in Idaho. To buy a handgun, you must:

• Be 21 or older;
• Provide a state ID; and
• Have an instant background check performed if purchased from a licensed firearms dealer.

Easy, right?  If you are a convicted felon, however, you still won’t be allowed to purchase or own a firearm unless your conviction was pardoned or your firearm rights were specifically restored.

But there’s more!

If those steps still seem too much to you, there’s good news!  No background check is required if you purchase your firearms through a private sale, or if you already have an Idaho CCW permit.  Saves you the time and money of doing a background check with every gun purchase!

Need to buy some long guns too!

The requirements to buy long guns in Idaho are almost identical to the ones for handguns.

To buy a long gun, you must:

• Be 18 or older;
• Present a photo ID (any state);
• Have an instant background check performed if purchased from a licensed firearms dealer.

Of course, the same restrictions for convicted felons apply here, and getting around the background check through a private sale or by presenting your CCW permit works with long guns also.

But what about the children?

If you’re not 18 yet, you won’t be able to buy a firearm of any kind.  But there’s hope!  If you are nice to your parents, that is. A person under 18 may buy and own a long gun with the written consent of that person’s parent or guardian, and you can use a long gun if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian during the time you handle the firearm. Keep in mind, this exception only applies to long guns.  It is illegal for anyone under 18 to have a handgun, even with permission from a parent or guardian. There are specific situations where you can use a handgun, even if you are under 18 though, including:

• Firing at legally operated target booths at amusement parks and similar locations, if the firearms are chained or fixed to the counter;
• Attending a hunter’s safety course or firearm safety course;
• Practicing at a shooting range;
• Participating in an organized competition involving firearms, or practicing for a competition;
• On private property with permission of the owner, or renter of the property, and has permission of a parent or guardian, or the owner or renter, to have the firearm;
• Hunting with a valid hunting license or with other people who are hunting with a license;
• Traveling to or from any of the activities above, with an unloaded firearm.

Still too young?

Because you can never be too young to start (properly) handling firearms, Idaho has a special law just for children under 12.  Anyone under 12 can possess a firearm if the child has a youth small game license or a youth hunter education graduate license, and is accompanied by an adult with an Idaho hunting license.

And if you collect antique or replica firearms…

Idaho treats antique and replica firearms like any other firearm, so all the laws on purchase and ownership apply to them just the same.

Where can you carry?

Once you’ve got your shiny new handgun, you need to be careful about where you bring it. Idaho allows for both open carry and concealed carry without a license.   There used to be a confusing set of situations involving carrying concealed within city limits and a different set of rules outside city limits.  Thanks to the legislature and governor, the law has been simplified, and anyone who is legally allowed to own a gun and is 18 years or older can carry concealed both inside and outside city limits.

So why get a license then?

If you don’t fall into any of those categories, you may still want to get a concealed weapons license (CWL).  The more important reason though, is that if you ever travel outside of the state, you will need to have a permit to present to officers when traveling through states which recognize an Idaho CWL. For details on how to get an Idaho CWL, check out our Idaho CCW section for all the deets.

But be careful!

Even though open carry is allowed, there are still places that you cannot bring your firearms. Guns are prohibited at:

• Schools, or at activities sponsored by schools;
• Police stations, jails, detention centers, etc.;
• Courthouses;
• Federal buildings and property.

Basically, if there are security checkpoints or metal detectors that are required before you can enter a building, it’s a good bet you should not try to bring your firearm inside.

And when you’re in the car

Transporting your firearms, or even just putting them away in the car when you’re at a school event has its own set of rules to be aware of. You can openly carry your (loaded or unloaded) firearm as long as it is in plain view.  Setting it on the passenger seat is perfectly fine, though you might want to be careful about those sudden stops that might send your shiny Beretta flying.

If you have the gun put away somewhere out of sight, it is considered to be concealed carry and must be disassembled or unloaded.  So if you don’t want the gun riding up front with you, or prefer to have it locked away in a case, make sure it’s unloaded if you don’t want any trouble with the cops! Of course, if you have a CCW permit, you can have a concealed and loaded gun while you’re in the car.  Go to our Idaho CCW section and check out how to get one!

When you can actually use your gun

Outside of hunting and time at the shooting range, we hope to never have to use our firearms.  If you ever need to defend yourself or your loved ones, however, you’ll want to make sure you do so without breaking the law. Idaho subscribes to the Castle Doctrine and the “Stand Your Ground” policy.  However, the laws are surprisingly strict when it comes to actually firing your gun.

Defending your castle

The Idaho Castle Doctrine says you can defend your home or property against someone who has shown intent or attempt to commit a felony or violently attempts to enter your house to commit violence or a felony. Even better (for the homeowner), is that an unlawful or forced entry into a home is enough under the eyes of the law to justify the homeowner’s reasonable fear of serious injury, and thus the use of deadly force that follows.

Standing your ground

Similar to the Castle Doctrine, there is no duty to retreat when you are faced with someone attempting to or actually committing violence or a felony.  The only difference here is that it does not only apply to your home, so if you are out at the movies, and the situation presents itself, you would not be required to retreat to safety. Important caveat: you cannot break into a store or run to the back of a restaurant that is off-limits to the public and then claim self-defense against someone. The reason is you would not legally be allowed in those places.  Stick to the places you’re supposed to be! Of course, just because you do not have a duty to retreat does not mean you must engage and use deadly force.  Always use your best judgment when deciding to use deadly force.  All of these laws only provide exceptions to charges of homicide, and it is ultimately up to a jury to decide if you were justified in shooting the other guy.

You made it! 

Even though there aren’t too many laws to watch out for as a responsible gun owner in Idaho, just keep in mind the ones we’ve laid out, and you should be ready to protect your loved ones from the bad guys (who don’t follow gun laws). And of course, when your guns aren’t strapped to your hip or slung across your back it’s always a good idea to store your firearms in a secure location, with a sturdy gun safe or gun cabinet. For those of you who just have a couple of handguns to keep from prying eyes, a handgun safe can easily get the job done.