Idaho is a shall-issue state for concealed carry. Concealed weapon licenses are issued at the local level by county sheriffs.
No license is needed to purchase a firearm from a private individual, no background check is required, there is no waiting period, and there is no firearms registration in the state. Background checks are required if purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). However, an Idaho Concealed Weapons License (CWL) exempts the holder from the federal requirement of a background check prior to purchase of a firearm.
Open carry is legal without a license in Idaho for anyone at least 18 years old who can legally possess a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including elementary schools and courthouses.
Permitless concealed carry became legal as of March 2020, and allows any U.S. citizen over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm or a current member of the armed forces of the United States, to lawfully carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without a license. Idaho offers two types of CWL’s. You must be 21 years old for the Enhanced CWL. A CWL covers concealed weapons including any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, pistol, revolver or any other deadly or dangerous weapon. An Enhanced CWL is available for purposes of reciprocity for those who wish to travel out of state. In terms of reciprocity, some states will only accept the enhanced version of Idaho’s license. Idaho issues CWLs to residents and non-residents. Concealed carry licenses require a firearms training course that has been state-approved or experience with a firearm through participation in an organized shooting competition or military service.
Idaho is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A law-abiding citizen may stand his or her ground and protect himself or herself or a third party anywhere he or she has a legal right to be.
Defense of Self and OthersNo person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting one’s self or family by reasonable means necessary, or when coming to the aid of another whom he reasonably believes to be in imminent danger of or the victim of aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder or other heinous crime. The defense of self or of another does not require a person to wait until he or she ascertains whether the danger is apparent or real. A person confronted with such danger has a clear right to act upon appearances such as would influence the action of a reasonable person.
Defense of PlaceA person using force or deadly force in defense of a habitation, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle is presumed to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury if the force is used against a person whose entry or attempted entry therein is unlawful and is made or attempted by use of force, in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously or by stealth, or for the purpose of committing a felony.
LiabilityA person is released from liability when protecting himself or herself or his or her family by reasonable means necessary or when coming to the aid of another whom he or she reasonably believes to be in imminent danger of or the victim of aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder or other heinous crime.
“Habitation” means any building, inhabitable structure or conveyance of any kind, whether the building, inhabitable structure or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile — including a tent — and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night, including a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest, and includes the curtilage of any such dwelling.
“Place of business or employment” means a commercial enterprise or establishment owned by a person as all or part of the person’s livelihood or is under the owner’s control or under control of an employee or agent of the owner with responsibility for protecting persons and property and shall include the interior and exterior premises of the place of business or employment.
“Vehicle” means any motorized vehicle that is self-propelled and designed for use on public highways to transport people or property.
Where can I carry with my Idaho permit?
Yes
Yes, Constitutional Carry
Yes, Other Restrictions
No
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Important Firearm Laws
red flag law?
No. Idaho does not have a red flag law.
public access to concealed carry registry?
No. Idaho's concealed carry registry is not publicly accessible.
driver's license linked to carry license?
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.
preemption?
Yes. Yes, the state has preemption over firearms, except a county may adopt ordinances to regulate, restrict or prohibit the discharge of firearms within its boundaries, under most circumstances.
duty to inform officer you're carrying?
No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Idaho.
brandishing?
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.
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.
carry while using alcohol or drugs?
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.
non-resident permitting?
Yes.
"no weapons allowed" signs enforced?
No. "No Weapons Allowed" signs are not enforced in Idaho.
Carry Basics
magazine limits for handguns?
No. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity in Idaho.
gun permit licensure?
Shall-issue. Idaho officials shall issue concealed carry licenses provided that the applicant meets all qualifications.
open carry permitted?
Yes, without a license. Any person who is at least 18 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry.
ammunition restrictions?
No. There are no special restrictions on the types of ammunition you may use in your concealed carry handgun in Idaho.
permitless carry?
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.
minimum age for concealed carry?
The minimum age to apply for an Idaho Concealed Weapons License is 18.
weapons other than handguns allowed?
Yes. Any concealed deadly weapon is covered by an Idaho CWL license. This includes:
non-lethal weapons?
STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license.
PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Idaho imposes no restrictions on size or concentration. Misuse may result in criminal charges.
TEAR GAS - Legal for self-defense purposes but subject to general misuse laws.
BEAR SPRAY - Legal and widely used in Idaho for self-defense against wildlife. There are no specific state restrictions, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.
BLUGEONS AND BATONS - Legal to own and carry in Idaho. Batons, including collapsible one, can be carried openly or concealed without a permit. Misuse may lead to legal consequences.
Items such as billy clubs, slapjacks, and nightsticks are also legal to own and carry unless used with criminal intent.
BRASS KNUCKLES - Legal under Idaho law. There are no explicit bans on the possession, manufacture, or sale of brass knuckles. Misuse is subject to Idaho's use-of-force laws.
byrna's?
Yes. It is legal under Idaho law. There are no explicit bans on the possession, manufacture, or sale of brass knuckles. Misuse is subject to Idaho's use-of-force laws.
Handgun Purchase & Possession
possess a handgun on my private property without a license?
Yes. Permitless carry is allowed for anyone at least 18 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm in Idaho.
background checks for private gun sales?
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.
idaho license exempts from background check?
Yes.
waiting period?
No. There is no waiting period to purchase a handgun in Idaho.
minimum age to possess and transport?
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:
purchase permits?
No. No permit is required to purchase a handgun in Idaho.
handgun registration?
No. Idaho does not require handguns to be registered.
Top Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Permit Information For Idaho Residents
Concealed Carry Basics Faq
carry while gun hunting?
Yes, for residents.
wear a covid mask & carry?
Although we have not conducted an exhaustive search, we found no statute in Idaho addressing masks.
hunter harassment law?
Yes. No person shall intentionally interfere with the lawful taking or control of wildlife by another.
what are the knife laws in idaho?
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.
carry while bow hunting?
Yes, it is legal to carry a handgun while archery hunting. But it's illegal to use any firearm to take an animal or finish off a wounded animal in an archery-only season.
Valid For:
5 years
Fees:
$20 for initial license (The sheriff’s office may charge a separate fee for processing and fingerprinting.)
$15 for renewals (The sheriff’s office may charge a separate fee for processing and background checks.)
Residency Changes:
Moving to Idaho and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Idaho doesn't distinguish between resident and non-resident licenses, so you can apply for a license at any time. In order to obtain an Idaho resident license, you must be a resident of Idaho for at least six months.
Moving from Idaho and have an Idaho resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Idaho license remains valid?If a person with an Idaho concealed weapon license establishes residency in another state, the license is valid until it expires provided he or she contacts the sheriff’s office in their county.
Lost/Stolen licenses:
Contact the sheriff’s office in your county.
Processing Time:
90 days
Non-Resident Concealed Carry licenses:
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.
Name/Address Changes:
Contact the sheriff’s office in your county.
Enhanced Application:
The enhanced CWL requires additional training than the standard Idaho CWL. It is intended to allow license holders to carry in more states than the standard CWL.
Additional Requirements for an enhanced CWL:
Application:
Requirements:
An applicant must:
*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.
Step 1:
Complete a training course, if needed (required for enhanced CWL).
Step 2:
Download the application form or pick up from your local sheriff's office.
Step 3:
Take the following documents to your local sheriff's office:
You will be fingerprinted.
Step 4:
You will be notified if your application has been approved.
tribal lands
Only the following allow some form of carry:
Nez Perce Tribe - With a valid permit issued by the state of Idaho. Sec. 4-1-126
Shoshone Bannock Tribe - Only the following apply:
(1) Peace Officers in the lawful discharge of their duties; (2) Persons in a private motor vehicle for the sole purpose of the protection of the person in possession of the weapon, or of another person or property and such weapon is located in a closed trunk, luggage or glove compartment of said vehicle; (3) Persons who have such weapons lawfully in their homes or dwellings; or (4) Persons in possession of such instruments for any other lawful purpose. Sec. 8-1-49
carry at roadside rest areas?
Yes.
store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?
Employers may post their parking lots to prevent employees from storing guns in their vehicles.
carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?
Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry, unless posted and provided you are not under the influence.
carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?
Yes in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Idaho.
carry/possess at a hotel?
A hotelkeeper has the right to evict a person, whether or not the person is a guest of the hotel, who seeks to bring a firearm into the hotel. The hotelkeeper is not required to provide accommodations, facilities or privileges of the hotel to any such person. Therefore, the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
carry in vehicle?
Yes, without a license, based on the signing of HB 516.
Liability
A person is released from liability when protecting himself or herself or his or her family by reasonable means necessary or when coming to the aid of another whom he or she reasonably believes to be in imminent danger of or the victim of aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder or other heinous crime.
“Habitation” means any building, inhabitable structure or conveyance of any kind, whether the building, inhabitable structure or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile — including a tent — and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night, including a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest, and includes the curtilage of any such dwelling.
“Place of business or employment” means a commercial enterprise or establishment owned by a person as all or part of the person’s livelihood or is under the owner’s control or under control of an employee or agent of the owner with responsibility for protecting persons and property and shall include the interior and exterior premises of the place of business or employment.
“Vehicle” means any motorized vehicle that is self-propelled and designed for use on public highways to transport people or property.
Defense of Place
A person using force or deadly force in defense of a habitation, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle is presumed to have acted reasonably and had a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or serious bodily injury if the force is used against a person whose entry or attempted entry therein is unlawful and is made or attempted by use of force, in a violent and tumultuous manner, surreptitiously or by stealth, or for the purpose of committing a felony.
Defense of Self and Others
No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting one’s self or family by reasonable means necessary, or when coming to the aid of another whom he reasonably believes to be in imminent danger of or the victim of aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder or other heinous crime. The defense of self or of another does not require a person to wait until he or she ascertains whether the danger is apparent or real. A person confronted with such danger has a clear right to act upon appearances such as would influence the action of a reasonable person.
Self-Defense
Idaho is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A law-abiding citizen may stand his or her ground and protect himself or herself or a third party anywhere he or she has a legal right to be.
Idaho Gun Law Updates
DateDetails
2025-04-03
Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.
2024-11-27
Added Tribal Land laws to the Carry Locations section.
2021-05-17
Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table
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