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EspañolI do not have a protection order and the abuser has not been convicted of a crime. Are there any other reasons why it’d be illegal for the abuser to have a gun in Idaho?
Even if you don’t have a protection order against the abuser and s/he hasn’t been convicted of a crime, there are other reasons s/he might be forbidden from carrying a concealed weapon under Idaho law. To see these reasons, go to Is it illegal for the abuser to carry a concealed weapon in Idaho? For additional information on Idaho gun laws, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.
There are also federal gun laws, which apply to all states and territories. These laws might forbid the abuser from having a gun for other reasons. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.
1 ID Code § 18-3302(11)
I’m worried the abuser has a gun or is planning to get one. What can I do to protect myself?
When an abuser has a gun, it makes it more likely that s/he could hurt or kill someone.1 So, it’s important to think about your safety.
Sometimes, the abuser might legally have a gun, or s/he might find ways to get one illegally. If you think the abuser has a gun when s/he is not supposed to, you might consider telling law enforcement. To learn more about this option, go to If I think the abuser has a gun illegally, who do I report it to?
Also, if the abuser works as a law enforcement officer, in the military, or for the government, s/he may have a gun for his/her job. To understand how the federal gun laws work in these cases, read The abuser uses a gun for his/her job. Does the law still apply? If you’re in this situation, you may face special risks. To learn more about the risks and ways to be safe, read When the Abuser is in Law Enforcement.
No matter what, you may want to think about safety planning to keep yourself as safe as possible. Sometimes this might include filing for a restraining order. We have some tips on our Safety Planning pages and you can contact an advocate at your local domestic violence organization who may be able to help you design a personalized plan. See our Idaho Advocates and Shelters page to find domestic violence organizations near you.
1 See Everytown for Gun Safety’s report on Guns and Violence Against Women
I've read all of this information, but I’m still confused. What can I do?
Gun laws can be confusing! Here are a few places you can contact to get help understanding the law and your rights:
- WomensLaw Email Hotline – write in to ask us questions.
- Local domestic violence organizations - see our Idaho Advocates and Shelters page to find organizations in your area.
- National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit – for more information on federal gun laws and how they may apply to you, call 1-800-903-0111 x 2.
