Idaho Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. Any U.S. citizen over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm and any current member of the armed forces of the United States, may carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without a permit. 

Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Idaho.

No. There are no special restrictions on the types of ammunition you may use in your concealed carry handgun in Idaho.

Shall-issue. Idaho officials shall issue concealed carry licenses provided that the applicant meets all qualifications.

Yes. Any concealed deadly weapon is covered by an Idaho CWL license. This includes:

• Any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger or firearm;
• Any other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is designed and manufactured to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury; or
• Any other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is intended by the person to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

[Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3302(7)]

Yes in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Idaho.

[Idaho Adm. Code 26.01.20.175.14]

Employers may post their parking lots to prevent employees from storing guns in their vehicles.

Yes. 

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Idaho.

Yes.

Yes. Your Idaho driver’s license is linked to your Idaho concealed weapons license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

No definition of brandishing was found in Idaho law. However, any person who shall intentionally, without malice, point or aim any firearm at or toward any other person shall be charged with a crime.

[Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3304]

Every person who, not in necessary self-defense, in the presence of two or more persons, draws or exhibits any deadly weapon in a rude, angry and threatening manner, or who, in any manner, unlawfully uses the same, in any fight or quarrel, has committed a crime.

[Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3303]

Not while intoxicated or under the influence of an intoxicating drink or drug. Licenses may be denied to an unlawful user of marijuana or any depressant, stimulant or narcotic drug, or any controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. 802.

[Idaho Code Ann. §§18-3302B and 18-3302(10)(e)]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. It is recommended that you retain any sales receipts to prove ownership of the gun.

No. There is no waiting period to purchase a handgun in Idaho.

Yes. Permitless carry is allowed for anyone at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm in Idaho. 

18 years old.

It is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to possess any weapon, as defined in section 18-3302A, Idaho Code, unless he or she:

• Has the written permission of his or her parent or guardian to possess the weapon; or
• Is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian while he or she has the weapon in his possession.

[Idaho Code Ann.§ 18-3302A]

An applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
• Not be a person who having been a citizen of the United States has renounced his or her citizenship;
• Demonstrate familiarity with the firearm through a course; 
• Have resided in Idaho for at least 6 months;
• Not have been formally charged or adjudicated guilty in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
• Not have received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, unless the person has successfully completed probation;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not be an unlawful user of marijuana or any depressant, stimulant or narcotic drug, or any controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. section 802;
• Not be currently suffering from or have been adjudicated as having suffered from any of the following conditions, based on substantial evidence:
  • Lacking mental capacity as defined in section 18-210, Idaho Code;
  • Mentally ill as defined in section 66-317, Idaho Code;
  • Gravely disabled as defined in section 66-317, Idaho Code; or
  • An incapacitated person as defined in section 15-5-101, Idaho Code.
• Not have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions;
• Not have received a period of probation after having been adjudicated guilty of, or received a withheld judgment for, a misdemeanor offense that has as an element the intentional use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another, unless the person has successfully completed probation;
• Not be the subject of a withheld judgment for a crime prohibiting a carry license; or released pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a crime prohibiting a carry license;
• Not be subject to a protection order issued under chapter 63, title 39, Idaho Code; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Idaho.

5 years

Link to application

Idaho issues CWLs to residents and non-residents. The requirements are similar for both. Contact the sheriff’s office in the county where you intend to apply. Non-residents with licenses issued by their home state may apply for enhanced CWLs.

Contact the sheriff’s office in your county.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence. 
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes.  
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and WMAs? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

In Idaho, anyone 18 years or older can open carry any knife. You cannot conceal carry a Bowie, dirk, dagger or dangerous weapon with a blade longer than 6 inches unless you have a weapons license. Knives can be a deadly weapon, but Idaho law does not state what types of knives are deadly weapons. The places listed as off-limits for CWL should also be assumed to apply to knives.

[Idaho Code § 18-3302(2)]

Yes, for residents.

[Idaho Statute § 36-401(g)]

Yes. No person shall intentionally interfere with the lawful taking or control of wildlife by another.

[Idaho Statute § 36-1510]