2A Second Amendment Under Fire in Idaho (posted 08/22/24)

On August 14, 2024, Idaho Dispatch reported on a dispute between the Twin Falls Police Department and several Twin Falls gun shops. The dispute centers around an online third-party program called LeadsOnline, which is used by law enforcement agencies nationwide and pawn shops in Idaho.

The Twin Falls Police Department also wants gun shops to use this program. The gun shops claim that LeadsOnline acts as a de facto gun registration system and violates Idaho’s constitution against a registration system as well as Idaho’s firearm preemption law (see 08/14/24 article at idahodispatch.com/twin-falls-gun-shops-…).

In an August 21, 2024 follow-up article, Idaho Dispatch reports that The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) is looking into the matter:

National Gun Group Looking into Twin Falls Gun Shop, Police Controversy. By Greg Pruett (08/21/24)

idahodispatch.com/national-gun-group-lo…

A key portion of the article quotes Hannah Hill, the Executive Director of the National Foundation for Gun Rights, NAGR’s legal foundation. Hill stated:

“It’s absolutely a registry. Full stop. Just because it’s not a “complete” registry does not take away from the fact that purchasing (which in many cases equals ownership) is being tracked by the government.”

“Any government requirement on the manufacture, sale, purchase, or ownership of firearms is by definition a government regulation. If a criminal or civil penalty is attached to noncompliance, it’s a regulation burdening the Second Amendment right.”

“This independent gun registry of the Twin Falls PD is massively illegal under both the state and federal laws and constitutions, and storing sensitive gun purchase information in private party software has privacy implications as well. Our legal team is taking a very hard look at this situation and will likely be in touch with the perpetrators very soon.”

Idaho Second Amendment Alliance (ISAA), Christy Zito (their political advisor), and others are looking into this serious matter.