Idaho Gun Laws in Plain English
In Idaho, you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you are at least 18 years old and legally allowed to own a gun. You can buy any type of firearm, including AR-15s and high-capacity magazines, with no waiting period. You do not need to register your guns or obtain a permit to buy them. However, you must still follow federal laws regarding school zones and prohibited locations like courthouses.
Critical: Idaho Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1While Idaho allows permitless carry for residents 18+, this does NOT exempt you from the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). You need a physical Idaho CWL to be federally legal within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school.
- #2Public college campus carry is ONLY legal if you possess an Idaho Enhanced Concealed Weapons License (Idaho Code § 18-3309). Standard permits and permitless carry do not qualify.
- #3Marijuana is strictly illegal in Idaho. Even if you have a card from a neighboring state (WA, OR, MT, NV), possession of marijuana and a firearm is a federal felony (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)).
- #4Tribal lands (e.g., Nez Perce, Coeur d'Alene) are sovereign nations. Idaho state 'Constitutional Carry' laws do not automatically apply there; you must check tribal codes.
- #5You cannot carry firearms in courthouses, juvenile detention centers, or jails (Idaho Code § 18-3302C).
- #6While you can carry in National Parks, you cannot carry inside federal buildings within those parks (visitor centers, ranger stations) per 18 U.S.C. § 930.
- #7It is illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated (Idaho Code § 18-3302B).
- #8Private property owners can still ban firearms on their premises. Ignoring a 'no guns' sign can lead to trespassing charges.
- #9If you are 18-20 years old, you can buy a handgun in a private sale, but federal law prohibits FFLs from selling handguns to you.
- #10Idaho's 'Hearing Protection Act' (18-3315A) supports suppressor ownership, but you must still have the federal tax stamp to avoid federal prison.
- #11Constitutional carry applies to non-residents as well, provided they are 18+ and not prohibited possessors.
- #12It is a felony to possess a firearm on school property without a license, unless you are dropping off/picking up a student and remain in the vehicle (Idaho Code § 18-3302D).
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.