The state of Idaho will soon allow concealed carry on college campuses, once Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signs the bill expected to arrive on his desk this week.
Otter has already expressed support for the bill, SB1254, which passed in the state House on Thursday last week by a vote of 50-19-1. Once the bill lands on the Governor’s desk, he has five days to sign it. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 25-10 in mid-February. If Otter signs the bill, Idaho would become the seventh state that allows firearms to be carried on college campuses.
According to the description of the bill, it is intended to “provide penalties for carrying concealed weapons under the influence of alcohol or drugs on a college campus; to revise the preemption of firearms regulation regarding college campuses; to provide authority of governing boards of public colleges and universities regarding firearms; and to provide civil immunity of colleges and universities allowing firearms.”
The bill prevents individuals from carrying firearms in residence halls and public entertainment facilities, provided there is posted signage at the public facility. As defined by the legislation, a public entertainment facility “means an arena, stadium, amphitheater, auditorium, theater or similar facility with a seating capacity of at least one thousand.”
In order to be allowed to carry on a college campus at all, however, one must pass an eight-hour gun training program given by a National Rifle Association instructor.
Naturally, the bill has met with some heavy criticism from gun control advocates who fear it will only lead to more shooting at schools. Hundreds of protesters rallied on the state Capitol steps prior to the bill’s passage in the House, hoping to convince legislature to kill the bill.
