You can open carry in Idaho, and unlike concealed carry in the state, you do not need a permit to do so.

Idaho also does not have firearm restrictions as long as you handle the gun according to the provisions of the state gun laws.

Open carry Idaho comes with a lot of regulations and requirements. You must know all these if you intend to open carry in the state.

Idaho Gun Law Summary

Idaho issues concealed carry licenses for residents and non-residents of the state.

The local county sheriff closest to an applicant’s home of residence is in charge of this application process.

The state has a shall-issue policy, and you must meet every requirement before you get an approved firearm permit.

In Idaho, you do not have to apply for a purchase permit before buying a firearm.

Also, there is no waiting period for you to complete your purchase of firearms in the state.

However, if you are buying a firearm from a federal or state-licensed dealer, you must complete a criminal record background check.

Note that this is not a compulsory requirement for private sales or transfer of firearms.

If you own a concealed carry permit before you purchase a firearm, then you do not have to undergo the criminal record background check.

The age requirement for Idaho permit application is twenty-one years old. However, to possess a firearm in the state, you must be at least eighteen years old.

Idaho has pre-emption law with the state statues superseding local laws in the state, but not wholly invalidating them.

• Recommended Reading: Idaho Gun Laws.

Is Open Carry Legal In Idaho?

Yes. You can open carry in Idaho as long as you are eighteen years old or more, the same age for the legal possession of firearms in the state.

Idaho has firearm restricted locations, and on no account must you open carry in these places except if you are a law enforcement officer or, in some situations, members of the United States Armed Forces.

Counties can also regulate open carry within their territories, and you must abide by this whenever you find yourself there.

Open Carry Laws In Idaho

Idaho is a permissive open carry state, and this means that you can open carry in the state without an issued license to do so.

Unlike most states in the USA, you can lawfully own, buy, or sell machine guns in Idaho as long as they are registered and handled according to the state statutes.

The same applies to antiques and similar firearms in the state. The law does not have a specificity about them; hence they are just ordinary firearms, and you can open carry them.

Idaho Open Gun Laws Quick View

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Idaho?

In Idaho can legally possess your firearm and open carry in the following areas:

• Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in restaurants and bars, except the management prohibits it, or you are under the influence of alcohol.
• Personal vehicle: You can open carry in your car, but your firearm must be in plain sight at all times.
• Along Roadsides: You can open carry along roadsides in the state.
• State parks and forests: You can open carry in parks, forests, and wildlife management areas in Idaho.
• Worship places: You can possess your firearm in places of worship in the state, except there is a prohibition to do so.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Idaho?

You cannot possess firearms in the following places:

• Schools and colleges: You cannot open carry or possess your firearms in publicly or privately owned schools, colleges, universities, technical institutions. This includes their hall of residence, recreational areas, and school transport.
• Care homes: You cannot open carry in care homes for children or veterans in the state.
• Courthouse: You cannot open carry in courthouses and during a court proceeding in the state.
• State prison: You cannot open carry in prisons, jails, and any other detention facility in the state.
• Private properties with signage: You cannot open carry on any private building or property that prohibits the possession of firearms on their premises.
• Prohibited places: You cannot open carry anywhere that the federal law of the USA prohibited.

FAQs About Open Carry In Idaho

Here are some of the frequently asked questions you should know about open carry in Idaho.

Does Idaho Issue A Permit For Open Carry In The State?

No. You do not need a permit to open carry in Idaho.

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry In Idaho?

Yes. The state issues a permit for the concealed carry of weapons.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Idaho Open Carry?

You can legally open carry in Idaho from eighteen years old upwards.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Applying For A Concealed Carry Permit In Idaho?

You must be at least twenty-one years old before you apply for a concealed carry permit in Idaho.

Is There A Red Flag Law In Idaho?

No. Idaho does not have any restriction order for the possession of firearms.

Can A Non-resident Apply For Idaho Concealed Carry License?

Yes. Non-residents can apply for Idaho permits as long as they meet all requirements.

Can I Open Carry Knives In Idaho?

Yes. As long as you meet the age requirement for open carry in the state, you can open carry knives.

However, the location restrictions for open carry of firearms in the state are the same for that of knives.

Does Idaho Have Restrictions For The Possession Of Firearm Types In The State?

Unlike most states, Idaho permits the possession and open carry of machine guns and semi-automatic firearms, as long as they are licensed.

The state law also does not say anything about possession of antique firearms and their replicas.

Does Idaho Issue A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In The State?

No. The state does not issue purchase permits, but your concealed carry permit can smoothen your purchase process.

Is NICS Criminal Record Background Check Mandatory For The Purchase Of Firearms In Idaho?

Yes. You must complete a criminal record background check if you are buying from a state or a licensed federal dealer.

The only exception to this is if you already have a concealed carry permit before trying to purchase a firearm.

In this case, you will not have to complete the check again, since you must have done it during the concealed carry application process.

How Long Is Idaho Concealed Carry Permit Valid?

The permit is valid for five years. You have to apply for a renewal permit after this period.

How Long Will It Take Me To Process My Concealed Carry Permit?

The processing period will last at least ninety days.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform The Police About My Possession Of Firearms?

No. Idaho state law for gun laws does not require that you inform a law enforcement officer about firearm possession.

Does Idaho Enforce The Castle Doctrine Policy?

Yes. A person has the right to stand his or her ground when faced with an attack in residential homes, business places, or vehicles.

The law states that there is no duty to retreat in these situations.

Will A Person Get Immunity For Killing During Self-defense?

You are allowed to make use of deadly or excessive force when it is reasonable to do so, and in a situation whereby an attack against you can cause a severe injury or death.

You can also make use of deadly force to protect your family against felony acts such as robbery, sexual assault, kidnap, etc.

How Soon Can I Renew My Firearm Permit In Idaho?

You can start your permit renewal process three months before the day it expires, and you have grace until three months after it expires to complete the process.

Is Firearm Training A Requirement For Permit Application In Idaho?

Yes. You must complete any of the state-approved firearm training classes overseen by a certified instructor.

Is Registration Of Firearms A Requirement In Idaho?

No, there is no requirement to register a firearm in Idaho.

At What Age Can I Start Using A Firearm In Idaho?

The legal age for handling a firearm in the state without a permit is eighteen years old.

Any underage that is in possession of a firearm must have the consent of parents or guardians to do so.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Idaho

Here are some of Idaho’s open carry gun laws that you must know:

Pre-emption Law

The state government of Idaho has all rights and authority concerning open carry and use of firearms in the state.

However, local areas can adopt policies to regulate the usage of firearms within their territories.

But the state laws still supersedes.

Brandishing Of Firearms

Idaho laws state that anyone that deliberately points a firearm towards another person in a threatening manner and without malice will face state prosecution.

Therefore, it is a crime to point your firearm at someone, except in self-defense or lawful situations, rudely and violently, during a fight or face-off.

Open Carry While Under The Influence

It is a crime to use or possess your firearm when you are under the influence of liquor or any drug substance.

This also includes illegal usage of marijuana, any other type of narcotic drug or a substance controlled by the drug law enforcement agency.

Miscellaneous Laws

You cannot petition the firing of guns on a shooting range if the operation is in place before you purchase a property or building close to it.

Even though open carry is legal in the state, you have to handle your firearm in a responsible cautious manner.

Hunting In Idaho

It is legal to open carry in Idaho for hunting if you are a resident of the state.

Also, you can open carry during archery hunting, but you must not use your firearm to take down games during this session.

Idaho has hunter harassment laws, and they include the following:

• Nobody should deliberately disrupt a legal hunting activity or the control of lives in the wild.
• Nobody should disturb animals in the wild in such a way that it interferes with a legal hunting activity in the state.
• Nobody should damage any equipment used for hunting, to disturb hunting activities in the state.
• Nobody should disturb, harass, interfere, or intimidate anybody taking part in a legal hunting activity that is state-approved.

Additional Resources

Idaho Gun Laws
Idaho Concealed Carry Laws
Idaho Gun Permit Laws