Without fail, Idaho State Senate Chairman Jim Guthrie (R – Inkom) has blocked more critical pro-gun legislation.

The entire legislative session has been total chaos. And, as usual, the Idaho legislature did its best to do as little as possible for gun owners.

Let’s recap.

THE GOOD

SB 1430 has been signed by Governor Brad Little. This bill was absolutely necessary to update Idaho’s firearm preemption law and finally give it real teeth.

Starting July 1, 2026, any government entity, city, county, or otherwise, that knowingly and willfully violates Idaho’s preemption statute faces a $10,000 fine per violation, plus potential action from the Attorney General and private organizations like the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance.

The ISAA has been fighting preemption battles for over a decade. We’ve helped overturn 90 violations of the statute. Most were resolved without drama, but there have been plenty of times when a law like SB 1430 would have made all the difference. Now we finally have it.

THE BAD

Another important bill tied to the preemption fight was HB 621, which would have clarified that counties can’t just slap the word “courthouse” on every building they own and then ban firearms. The restriction was supposed to apply only to actual courtrooms and court proceedings.

The bill passed the Idaho House but was shut down at the last minute in the Idaho Senate, a theme we saw far too often this year.

We’ll need a stronger push next session to get this one across the finish line.

THE UGLY

SB 1298, the Stand Your Ground Shield Act, introduced by Sen. Christy Zito (R–Mountain Home), never even got a chance. Guthrie shoved it in the chairman’s drawer and refused to give it a public hearing, continuing his pattern of blocking pro‑gun legislation.

This bill is desperately needed to flip the script on government overreach and ensure Idahoans can defend themselves without fear of political prosecution.

If Sen. Zito wins her primary in May, she has already said she intends to fight even harder to get this legislation passed.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In a state like Idaho, a state that claims to have a Republican supermajority, gun owners once again got the bare minimum. And now those same lawmakers want your vote.

Maybe it’s time Idaho sends some better fighters to the Capitol.