Legislation (2026)
The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance actively engages in promoting pro-gun legislation and opposing anything that is directly anti-gun, but we also engage on bills that could restrict our organization’s ability to do its job or could infringe on the rights and liberties of gun owners in other ways.
Click a heading below to learn more about the bill.
Self-Defense Immunity and Reimbursement (SB 1298) – SUPPORT – Senate State Affairs
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/S1298.pdf
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“The proposed legislation created Idaho Code §19-202B to provide strong legal protections for individuals who
use force in lawful self-defense, defense of others, or defense of certain places. It grantsimmunity from criminal
prosecution when force is justified under existing Idaho statutes and limits law enforcement’s ability to arrest
without a warrant unless exigent circumstances exist. As the bill states, a person using justified force “shall be
immune from any criminal prosecution for the use of such force or threat of force.
To ensure this immunity is applied early, the bill requires courts to hold a pretrial immunity hearing within
fourteen days of a defendant’s motion. Once the defendant makes a prima facie showing of justified force, the
burden shifts to the state in criminal cases and to the plaintiff in civil cases. If those parties cannot meet their
respective burdens, the court must dismiss the case. These procedures are designed to prevent individuals who
acted lawfully from being subjected to prolonged criminal or civil proceedings.
The bill also mandates reimbursement for defendants who are acquitted or have charges dismissed due to
justified self-defense. Counties must cover reasonable costs such as legal fees, loss of time, and related
expenses. In addition, the legislation requires full expungement of all criminal history records associated with such cases, and once expunged, the person is legally considered never to have been arrested or prosecuted.
This ensures that individuals who acted within the law do not face lasting consequences from an arrest or
charge that should not have occurred.”
Status: The bill has had an introductory hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee but has not yet received a full public hearing.
Machine Gun Contingency Bill (SB 1349) – SUPPORT – Senate State Affairs
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/S1349/
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“This legislation provides legal protection for fully automatic weapons within the state of Idaho in the event of the federal ban being overturned or repealed.”
Status: The bill has had an introductory hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee but has not yet received a full public hearing.
Firearm Preemption Accountability Bill (SB 1430) – SUPPORT – Waiting for Hearing in House State Affairs. Cleared Senate.
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/S1430/
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“This legislation provides for a civil penalty and permanent injunction for any Idaho county, city, agency, board
or other political subdivision of the state willfully and knowingly violating state statutes regarding firearms,
ammunition, or components. Provides for Attorney General thirty (30) day notification to the offending entity
to cure the violation before court proceedings may proceed.”
Status: The bill has cleared the Senate State Affairs Committee and is waiting for a full vote on the Senate Floor.
County Facility Carry Provisions (HB 621) – SUPPORT – House State Affairs
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0621/
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“The primary objective of this legislation is to safeguard the Second Amendment rights of Idaho’s citizens.
Presently, our preemption law prohibits local governments from establishing more stringent regulations
regarding the carrying of firearms in public facilities. Additionally, our laws prohibit the carrying of firearms
within courtrooms and courthouses.
However, the recent development of county courthouses being created within county offices has resulted
in confusion regarding the permissible locations for firearm carrying. This legislation clarifies that in such
instances, prohibiting individuals from carrying firearms within a courtroom will be allowed. Nevertheless our citizens should be permitted to carry firearms when entering city or county buildings for other purposes.”
Status: The bill has had an introductory hearing in the House State Affairs Committee but has not yet received a full public hearing.
Enhanced License Training Requirements (HB 573) – SUPPORT – Senate State Affairs
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0573/
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“The purpose of this legislation is to amend Section 18-3302K, Idaho Code, relating to Idaho enhanced
concealed carry licenses. The bill allows enhanced concealed carry training to be delivered in more adaptable
instructional formats, including smaller group and one-on-one instruction, enabling instructors to tailor
training to individual student needs. This legislation recognizes experienced, nationally certified firearms
instructors with extensive enhanced concealed carry teaching backgrounds as individuals authorized to
provide instruction on Idaho firearms law. It provides greater flexibility in the delivery of required training
while maintaining Idaho’s high standards for public safety and legal compliance.”
Our opinion is that this is a good start, but it needs to go much further.
Status: The bill has cleared the Idaho House and now heads to the Senate State Affairs Committee.
Defensive Display by Threatened Person (HB 621) – SUPPORT – Senate State Affairs
Link to the bill: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/S1295.pdf
Summary of Legislation
According to the Statement of Purpose, the bill will do the following:
“The purpose of this legislation is to amend Section 19-202, Idaho Code, relating to Resistance to a Threatened
Party that will specifically allow a threatened person to remove their defensive weapon from it’s holster or
other container in defensive situations should the need arise. The current wording in the statute relies on a
broad interpretation of the words “Exposing, Displaying…”, and it will remove the ambiguity of the current
wording.”
There needs to be changes to the brandishing/defensive displays laws to really ensure that gun owners can de-escalate a situation without being charged with a crime when it becomes necessary to ensure protection, without the necessity of discharging a weapon.
Status: The bill is currently in the Senate State Affairs Committee.
