Gun violence is quickly becoming a more serious nationally addressed issue, but Idaho’s gun laws are some of the most relaxed in the nation. Federal law prevents licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns or handgun ammunition to anyone under 21, but in Idaho concealed carry is legal without a permit for anybody over the age of 18.
Since 2018 the gun law reform movement has only been gaining momentum. Mass shootings are reported by almost every news outlet, and lives are affected by them now more than ever with the help of social media.
That is not the only part of the problem though. A recent report from the Center for American Progress states that the most pressing issue concerning firearms in Idaho is suicide. The report states that Idaho ranks fourth in the nation for gun suicide. That is 79% higher than the national average.
Even though the state’s firearm laws may be relatively tolerant, carrying on campus is a totally different story.
In order to conceal carry on UI campus a person must be qualified for an enhanced concealed carry permit. That is not all there is to it though. According to the university firearms policy, anybody qualified to conceal carry on campus must keep their weapon concealed at all times until the absolute need for self-defense arises.
In addition to keeping the weapon concealed at all times, there are certain places on campus where absolutely no firearms are allowed, no matter what kind of concealed carry permit a person has. These places include student dorms, residence halls, and entertainment/sporting facilities with seating for more than 1,000 people.
The university website makes it clear that they have a zero-tolerance policy toward the threatening use of concealed weapons. The site also states that while the university cannot tell qualified people to not carry, it is asked that anyone legally concealing a weapon be courteous and mindful that other people may be uncomfortable around firearms.
This is important in a diverse environment because college is a place where people from all over the world come together in one place to learn. Not all states or countries are as comfortable with relaxed gun laws as Idaho is, just like not every student at the University of Idaho is familiar with guns.
Keeping a tight rein on otherwise loose state regulations benefits everybody on campus, making it a safer and happier place.
Anteia McCollum can be reached at [email protected]