Idaho law currently allows for people to carry a gun without a permit, as long as it's done so openly.
That could soon change.
Bill 1389 has just passed a senate committee with a 6-3 vote that would allow adults 21 year or older to conceal their weapon without a permit or training. Adults aged 18 to 20 would still need a permit and training.
"Permitless carry means that if you are a law abiding citizen and you can lawfully possess a firearm, you can also carry it without getting extra government permission to do that, and you can carry it whether it's open or concealed," explained Alexandria Kincaid, a firearms law attorney.
Currently here in Idaho citizens can already conceal carry without a permit as long as it's outside of city limits.
"Do you know when you travel down the freeway when you are crossing into city limits? You might see a sign but most people don't know where those arbitrary geographical boundaries really are," said Kincaid. "Gun owners can lawfully own a gun in some locations and just because they travel with it somewhere else, all of the sudden they are breaking the law."
While the current permitting system would remain in effect, this bill makes it optional for state residents.
The organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America says allowing this would put Idahoans at risk.
"The great thing about the permit system is that we know the people who are concealed carrying have passed a background check so that they are not a criminal offender and they have gone through some sort of safety training and they know how to handle a weapon responsibly," said Hannah sharp, spokeswoman for the organization.
Sharp says that the background check and safety training course are extremely important to ensure that loaded guns are not getting into the hands of the wrong people.
"This permit system has been in Idaho for 99 years. It's worked that whole time. There is no need to get rid of that now," said Sharp.
The bill is now headed to the full senate for a vote.
If passed, Idaho would join a handful of other states that allow permitless concealed carry.
