Federal law establishes a baseline national standard regarding individuals’ eligibility to acquire and possess firearms. Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence misdemeanors, or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition. However, federal law merely provides a floor, and has notable gaps that allow individuals who have demonstrated significant risk factors for violence or self-harm to legally acquire and possess guns.

Idaho’s state law firearm restrictions are narrower. Idaho law generally prohibits any person who has been convicted of certain felonies from purchasing, owning, possessing or having under his or her custody or control any firearm.¹ A person under age 18 also generally cannot possess a firearm.²