Bill Shelved Preventing Idaho Law Enforcement from Enforcing Federal Gun Laws

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Senate has shelved a measure that sought to make it a misdemeanor for Idaho law enforcement officials to enforce any new federal firearms restrictions. The bill cleared the House on a party-line vote and is awaiting a Senate State Affairs Committee hearing.

But its chairman, Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie of Nampa, said yesterday he won't have adequate time to give it a public vetting during the 2013 session. There have been concerns it could complicate relationships between Idaho law enforcement and federal agencies that currently cooperate, including on drug investigations.

Rep. Mark Patterson, a Boise Republican and the measure's sponsor, has said his bill is intended to protect Idahoans' gun rights. However, President Obama's administration has said it has no plans to confiscate weapons or require national firearms registration.