Bill Description: House Bill 48 would amend Idaho's enhanced concealed carry license law to allow retired law enforcement officers to provide firearm instruction.

Rating: +1

Does it violate the spirit or the letter of either the United States Constitution or the Idaho Constitution? Examples include restrictions on speech, public assembly, the press, privacy, private property, or firearms. conversely, does it restore or uphold the protections guaranteed in the US Constitution or the Idaho Constitution? 

House Bill 48 would amend Section 18-3302K, Idaho Code, which establishes rules for issuing enhanced licenses to carry concealed weapons.

Currently, the law provides that the required instruction in Idaho firearms law may be provided by "a law enforcement officer, who possesses an intermediate or higher Idaho peace officers standards and training certificate."

This bill would update this language to say the instruction may be provided by "a law enforcement officer, active or retired, who currently possesses or possessed at the time of his retirement an intermediate or higher Idaho peace officers standards and training certificate."

Allowing a wider pool of qualified trainers may increase the availability of training opportunities and reduce the costs for those seeking an enhanced permit.

(+1)

It should be noted that making changes to the Idaho statutes that govern concealed carry licenses could imperil Idaho’s existing reciprocity agreements with other states. 

The law says, "The attorney general must contact the appropriate officials in other states for the purpose of establishing, to the extent possible, recognition and reciprocity of the enhanced license to carry a concealed weapon by other states, whether by formal agreement or otherwise."

When the statute changes, some agreements may have to be reestablished or confirmed. It is worth considering if amending this statute will invalidate any of Idaho's existing reciprocity agreements.

(0)