Law Punishing Idaho Lawmen for Taking Firearms Back

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republicans resurrected a measure to punish Idaho law enforcement officers who help confiscate federally banned firearms, fearing President Barack Obama's administration could try to take their guns. The bill yesterday in the Senate State Affairs Committee is similar to a failed measure last year from former Rep. Mark Patterson. Now, Sen. Marv Hagedorn says he's worked with police as well as Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis on a do-over. Hagedorn says this year's measure is "much friendlier" to law enforcement, though it calls for a civil penalty of $1,000 for those found guilty. The Meridian Republican wasn't aware of any federal confiscation push, but worries about executive orders as Obama's presidency wanes. To be sure, Obama says he has no plans to take anybody's guns. The bill will be debated.