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Open Carry customs in Idaho

teddyearp

Regular Member
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
67
Location
Pinetop, AZ
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OK a tiny preface. I am a Cali native, left there in 1996 after a few 'educational' lessons about open carry and handguns and firearms possessions by one who wants to try to remian a law abiding citizen, expecailly one who has already been violated by those who do not want to remain law abiding. Long story short, I found that in AZ while carrying in your vehicle it is "OK" as long as your handgun is in a holster. At the end of the day, I could carry my handgun in AZ in a holster wedged in between my driver's seat and the center console and be OK and legal whether via state law and/or local customs/policies. And now it's going to get even easier/better in AZ.

In Idaho, can I carry the same way? Or can I carry with it on my right hip, and therefore partially concealed by my seat-belt/center console? Or should I drive with my handgun either in plain view on my dashboard, and/or on the passenger seat? What are the open carry while in your vehicle customs that are allowed by most rural Idaho LEO's?



TIA
 

Porter N

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Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
126
Location
Alpine, Utah
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I, too, have been on the wrong end of a pistol - a pistol held by some guys who wanted the fast cash. so i can guess where you're coming from.

In Idaho, your firearm doesn't have to be in a holster, but it must be visible from at least two sides of the vehicle, without a permit. So your hip probably wont work. I keep mine on my dash. The following is an excerpt from an Idaho gun law pamphlet found on this forum and http://hitbackfirst.com/idaho_gun_law_color_20Mar09.pdf

In Vehicles: While in any motor vehicle, inside the limits or confines of any city, a person shall not carry a concealed weapon on or about his person without a license to carry a concealed weapon. This shall not apply to any firearm located in plain view whether it is loaded or unloaded. A firearm may be concealed legally in a motor vehicle so long as the weapon is disassembled or unloaded. ~ I.C. §18-3302(9)
 

John Wolver

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
418
Location
Caldwell, Idaho, USA
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ill make this easier, wear your gun in a holster if you wish to open carry or have to due to no concealed weapons permit, keep it in the holster and you will be fine. This applies everywhere. In your car you can leave it there as well and be fine. Open carry in Idaho is the law of the land. You also do not have to inform you are carrying openly when you get stopped by leo. I do 90% of the time, but it is not necessary. I wouldnt worry too much about things while open carrying, Nampa however is a city i would be careful in because they have a slight attitude about open carry.
 

IndianaBoy79

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
639
Location
Eagle, Idaho, USA
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I'll second that...most police/public you run into are more curious than anything. Cops have often asked what kind of gun I was carrying and continued with polite conversation. There are, of course, isolated incidents but these are few and rare.

Porter, can you please cite something regarding the gun being visible from two sides of the car? I can't find anything codified; is there case law I'm unaware of or is this an explanation you got from leo?

As far as I'm aware, OC in the car (holster on your hip) is completely legal so long as it's visible during normal observation (not having to move things around in the car, look under a seat, coat, etc).
 

Porter N

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Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
126
Location
Alpine, Utah
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IndianaBoy79 wrote:
Porter, can you please cite something regarding the gun being visible from two sides of the car? I can't find anything codified; is there case law I'm unaware of or is this an explanation you got from leo?
now I'm having trouble finding it too. It's something I heard/read/saw when i was doing my initial research before i began carrying a year ago. I went on a law-ingesting binge so I knew my rights and limitations for carrying in the state of Idaho. Who knows. I've been doing it so long, I've never bothered to re-look it up.

My bad.
 

IndianaBoy79

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
639
Location
Eagle, Idaho, USA
imported post

No reason to apologize. Personally, if I didn't have a CCW, I'd be very careful myself. Just make sure it is very visible and there is nothing covering it up.

While there is no requirement to notify the officer, it's not always a bad idea either. I know I often advocate NOT showing I.D. while carrying on foot and not answering questions if they are being rude, but traffic stops are often the most dangerous time for a cop. For your safety and his, let him know your packing. It could be worse if they are surprised! Besides, we're OCing, no reason not to share because we're not trying to hide it anyways.
 
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