"From My Cold Dead Hands"

Priorities - 2A

As conservatives continue to relish in the historical events of November 5^th, 2024, we’re always reminded of the importance individual rights. Those rights allow us to function peaceably with our next-door neighbors, our society, our government and with powers abroad. All of the rights offer precious liberties unique to our country but it could be argued that the single strongest right lies in the watchdog called the 2nd Amendment. Without it, the others likely would be easily diluted or trampled.  

Our Founding Fathers’ forethought on this topic is a major reason America still exists today.  George Washington said: “…firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence.... From the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable.... The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference; they deserve a place of honor with all that's good... A free people ought to be armed.”

It’s safe to say that the members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus are not alone in their appreciation and respect for firearm ownership. A wise man once wrote that “the gun is civilization,” and we agree. The gun is a tool that can be used for good or for evil, and for many centuries it has been used by the American people for self-defense and to keep tyranny at bay. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a danger. A gun in the hands of a good man is only dangerous to a bad man.

Idaho has a tremendous history of protecting the right to self-defense. Unlike many states, a citizen does not need to get a permit to buy a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. Unlike many states, a citizen does not need permission from the government to carry a concealed firearm in public. We love our guns so much that citizens are even allowed to open-carry in the State Capitol! 

In Idaho, we know that an armed society is a polite society, and that most gun owners are law-abiding patriots. It’s our job as your elected legislators to keep it that way, and to stop the would-be tyrants who want to restrict your God-given rights. Would-be tyrants tell us that we have a gun problem, and that we must give up our guns in exchange for peace and safety. Yet despite Idaho having the most guns per capita in the United States, we have one of the lowest homicide rates in the nation.

There are still areas we can improve, such as strengthening the Stand Your Ground doctrine and allowing teachers to carry concealed on school grounds to protect their students. We’d prefer that there was no ban of firearms on college and university campuses. And even though Idaho statutes do not yet protect this right, we also believe you should be able to carry your firearm on all publicly owned property, like city parks and county fairgrounds, even when such property is leased to a private group. Do you know of any other gun-related laws that need to change in Idaho? Help Idaho Freedom Caucus members protect your 2^nd Amendment and send us your ideas. 

Don’t forget to submit your family firearm photo for the 2025 Idaho freedom Caucus calendar. Deadline to submit entries ends this Saturday!