Everytown, Idaho Moms Urge Governor Otter to Veto Dangerous Bill That Would Dismantle State’s Nearly Century-Old Concealed Carry Permitting System

Previous Polling Found 81 Percent of Idahoans Support Requiring a Permitting System for Concealed Carry; Leading Idaho Chiefs of Police Support Current System

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement urging Governor Otter to veto Senate Bill 1389, which would endanger public safety by dismantling Idaho’s 99-year-old concealed carry permitting system and enabling individuals to carry hidden, loaded firearms on the streets of Idaho’s cities and towns with absolutely no training, no criminal history check and no permit.

Previous polling found 81 percent of Idahoans support requiring a permitting system for the concealed carry of loaded handguns in public. Last week, Boise Chief Bill Bones, Meridian Chief Jeff Lavey and Garden City Chief Rick Allen published an opinion piece in the Idaho Statesman citing safety concerns about SB 1389 and announcing their opposition to the proposed legislation.

STATEMENT FROM HANNAH SHARP, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE IDAHO CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Our state’s concealed carry permitting system is emblematic of Idaho’s long tradition of responsible gun ownership – and it’s kept our families and law enforcement safe for the last 99 years. It’s just common sense that we should maintain some basic handgun training requirements and check to see if people seeking to obtain a permit are criminals before they’re allowed to carry concealed, loaded firearms in our communities. Our system has not only proven to be effective – it’s also popular. The vast majority of Idahoans, including our leading chiefs of police, support our system. By passing this dangerous piece of legislation, our legislature has failed to represent our interests on this front, but there’s still time for Governor Otter to do the right thing. That’s why moms across Idaho urge the Governor to stand up for public safety by vetoing Senate Bill 1389 to preserve this tradition.”