State Senator Jim Guthrie (R-Inkom), the Senate State Affairs Chairman, blocked every meaningful pro-gun bill for the 2025 legislative session.
Here is a recap of what Guthrie blocked:
Stand Your Ground – Sen. Zito
Firearm Preemption Accountability – Sen. Zito
Firearm Preemption Public Carry – Rep. Hawkins
Campus Carry Reform – Sen. Foreman
Repeal Outdated Firearm Parading Ban – Sen. Foreman
Guthrie’s desk is stuffed full of pro-gun legislation.
In addition to ignoring lawmakers who tried to get Guthrie to move on the pro-gun legislation, he also ignored the thousands of citizens who demanded public hearings on these crucial bills.
Sen. Zito’s bills had dozens of co-sponsors, who Guthrie didn’t seem to think deserved to have their voices heard.
The ISAA talked to lawmakers who asked Senate Pro-Tem Kelly Anthon (R-Rupert) if he instructed Guthrie to block these bills. Anthon allegedly told lawmakers that he didn’t tell his chairmen what to do with any particular bill.
If Anthon didn’t tell Guthrie to block the bills, then Guthrie blocked them all on his own.
Some of you may know Guthrie as the “give illegal aliens a driver’s license” guy, as well as the lawmaker who made a “school carry” bill last year that was so bad the gun control groups supported his bill, in addition to pro-gun control lawmakers.
Gun owners have dealt with a chairman like this before. Years ago, they ousted a 32-year lawmaker named Tom Loertscher. Loertscher had become notorious for blocking Constitutional Carry legislation.
Of course, lawmakers are going to be mad at the ISAA for pointing out who is responsible for blocking these gun bills because they would rather attack us rather than tell Guthrie to do the right thing and have these bills heard.
Remember what I have said many times: Some lawmakers will block good bills by shoving them in a drawer, not co-sponsor good bills, or vote against good bills simply because they don’t like the sponsor or an organization like the ISAA, which supports good legislation.
These lawmakers care more about petty differences than doing what’s right for the people of Idaho.
The ISAA will not give up.
Our goal is to fight for gun owners. We do not care who the sponsor is. We will support you if you have a good piece of pro-gun legislation!
Additionally, if you have a bill that is not good for gun owners, we will fight against it with everything we have, no matter who the sponsor is, because our job is to protect the right to keep and bear arms.
At the end of the day, gun owners want to know why their bills aren’t being heard. My job is to expose who is or is not helping their legislation move in the capitol.
The blame for pro-gun bills not moving lies squarely on the shoulders of Senate State Affairs Chairman Jim Guthrie.
5 replies on “Pro-Gun Bills Halted by Idaho GOP Senator”
I believe this guy needs to go , get him out of office. He Blocked 5 Great Bills , he needs to move to a Blue State. He’s a Coward to not stick up for what is right!
This RINO needs to be ousted! He is not doing what the people elected him to do.
He needs to go. I don’t hunt but definitely want our gun rights and people who support it!!
When is Senator Guthrie up for reelection? Who can I contact to get him unelected?
Time for Mr Guthrie to let the bills be heard or for him to retire. One man should not have e this kind of power over the citizens of Idaho. Let the bills be heard and then voted on. You are not representing the interest of your constituents or those of Idaho