VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Idaho Extremists Fail to Pass Measure Forcing Guns in Schools; Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Respond 

BOISE, ID. — The Idaho chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after lawmakers adjourned the session without passing HB 415. The legislation would have forced school districts to allow any school employee or volunteer who has an enhanced concealed carry license to bring a concealed firearm on school property. 

“Parents across our state are breathing a sigh of relief,” said Jacqui Hamilton, a volunteer with the Idaho chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Generations of Americans have grown up with the constant fear of gun violence and measures like HB 415 only make those threats feel more real. We thank lawmakers in the Senate for doing the right thing and ignoring this reckless measure – we should be focusing on reducing gun violence, not bringing more guns into schools and putting our kids at risk. Our movement keeps growing stronger in Idaho and we look forward to working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to protect our communities.” 

“We know arming teachers won’t prevent school shootings. It’s a relief to see Idaho lawmakers defeat dangerous legislation that would have put more students at risk,” said Cora Lynn Mundy, a member of the Students Demand Action National Advisory Board. “Today’s defeat is a win, but it’s also a sobering reminder that we have to continue begging politicians to keep guns out of our schools. That’s the bare minimum. Our energy should be focused on passing gun safety laws that will save lives, not constantly playing defense against reckless bills.” 

In addition to HB 415, lawmakers introduced several extreme measures. Here’s a snapshot of other gun lobby-backed bills that failed this session: 

• SB 1220, legislation to replace the term “civil disorder” with “domestic terrorism” in Idaho’s existing Terrorist Control Act, defining domestic terrorism as requiring cooperation with a foreign terrorist organization. This legislation would have enabled domestic extremist organizations to conduct paramilitary training as long as they do not coordinate or cooperate with foreign terrorists 
• SB 1228, legislation to force public universities and community colleges to allow the carry of guns on campuses by people with concealed carry licenses. 
• SB 1240, legislation to repeal Idaho’s law banning private militias and public parades with firearms, allowing extremists to train and march with guns without consequences.

To prevent tragedies on school grounds, lawmakers must implement strong school safety solutions, but arming teachers and other school staff is not the way. Research shows that children are likely to access guns when guns are present and additional research shows that access to a firearm, irrespective of age, triples the risk of death by suicide and doubles the risk of death by homicide. Learn more about research-backed solutions for safer schools here. 

In an average year, 295 people die by guns. With a rate of 16.2 deaths per 100,000 people, Idaho has the 19th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US, while 86% of gun deaths in Idaho are by firearm suicide. More information about gun violence in Idaho is available here.