Idaho House Passes Bill Allowing Guns in Courthouse Offices

The bill would permit concealed carry in some courthouse areas but not courtrooms.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:24am

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in shades of blue, green, and red, representing the complex and contentious issue of gun rights in government buildings.A fractured, avant-garde painting captures the divisive debate over gun rights and courthouse security.Boise Today

The Idaho House passed a bill that could allow members of the public to concealed carry guns inside some parts of courthouses, excluding courtrooms and other court facilities. The bill would effectively permit concealed carry inside courthouse offices for county commissioners, clerks and other administrative services. However, some lawmakers warn the bill could put county officials at risk and force counties to overhaul courthouse security at a high cost.

Why it matters

The bill highlights an ongoing debate over balancing Second Amendment rights with public safety concerns, especially in government buildings. While supporters say the bill protects residents' rights, critics argue it could expose county officials to harassment and violence.

The details

House Bill 621 would allow people to concealed carry guns inside the parts of courthouse buildings that aren't for court, such as offices for county commissioners, clerks and other administrative services. The bill would not permit guns in courtrooms, judges chambers, witness rooms, jury deliberation rooms and other court facilities. Some lawmakers say the bill will force counties to overhaul courthouse security screening setups, moving metal detectors and requiring more staff.

  • The Idaho House passed the bill on April 2, 2026.
  • The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate.

The players

Brent Crane

A Republican state representative from Nampa who called the bill an unfunded mandate for counties.

Brandon Mitchell

The Republican state representative from Moscow who is sponsoring the bill, saying he wants to protect people's rights.

Stephanie Mickelsen

A Republican state representative from Idaho Falls who said the bill could cost over $2 million initially and $1.3 million annually in Bonneville County to comply with.

Annie Henderson Haws

A Democratic state representative from Boise and attorney who told lawmakers the bill could expose public officials to more risk and shift costs to counties.

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What they’re saying

“I'm voting for the bill. I've got 100% voting record with the NRA. Don't want any of you guys to screw up your voting record with the NRA. But this is wrong.”

— Brent Crane, Republican state representative

“I completely believe in local control. I've said that several times. However, local control when they start stepping on people's rights, I think that's the state's responsibility to step in and fix that, correct it.”

— Brandon Mitchell, Republican state representative

“Where's the right of our judicial (officials) to be safe?”

— Stephanie Mickelsen, Republican state representative

“This body is bent on trimming budgets. And yet we have no respect for the budgets of our counties or the work that they will have to go through for just the very pleasure of us being able to not put our guns in our car when we walk into these buildings and simply go in there and take care of business. Instead, we're putting our court clerks, who sit at desks that are open to the public, at risk of incidences of harassment and violence.”

— Annie Henderson Haws, Democratic state representative and attorney

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate, where it must pass before going to the governor for potential signature into law.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing tension between gun rights and public safety, with supporters arguing it protects constitutional freedoms and critics warning it could endanger government workers and strain county budgets.