• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

With gun rights being discussed at a federal level, some Idaho lawmakers are seeing an opportunity to clarify where the state stands -- firmly on the side of the second amendment.

"We as a state are not going to bow down to the federal government in the sense of second amendment right infringement and I think it's important for the federal government to understand that the state of Idaho will draw a line in the sand,” says Caldwell Republican Representative Brandon Hixon.

Hixon is one of a group of lawmakers currently crafting new bills.

With the discussion pending, gun store owner and state Representative Christy Perry says she's excited to help represent gun owners in a debate of any bill.

"Many people use guns for hunting,” she says “They feed their families with this, and self-defense, self-preservation and actually just self-reliance is very very important to Idahoans and owning a gun and having the right to defend themselves is probably one of their top priorities."

And that's why lawmakers are competing in a way. Trying to get the chance to show their support of the second amendment.

Still, Hixon says, whether it's his bill or one from another like-minded lawmaker, he thinks the issue is worthy of the discussion and support.

"Those rights will not be infringed in this state,” Hixon says. “So, I'm glad to see other legislation coming about for the protection of our second amendment rights and that's a fair thing to say. My constituents are very concerned about it, as am I, and frankly, we're going to fight tooth and nail when it comes to the federal government, putting any kind of decreased rights on our second amendment."