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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Bill advances to remove lawmaker exemption from concealed weapon permit law

Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho state officials would no longer be allowed to carry a concealed firearm without a permit under a bill that cleared the House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday. The law came under scrutiny last year when former Republican Rep. Mark Patterson was allowed to carry a concealed weapon even after his permit was revoked. Patterson lost his permit after officials discovered he lied on the application about a 1974 guilty plea to assault with intent to commit rape. He quit the Legislature in January. Rep. Rick Youngblood, a Nampa Republican, said Tuesday ditching the exemption holds lawmakers to the same standards as voters. His bill would also allow concealed carry outside city limits, even if the gun owner doesn't have a permit. It's now headed to the House floor for debate.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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