Idaho Gun Rights & Colleges — Transferring Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Will Make it a Permanent Gun-Free Zone. By Greg Pruett (07/08/25)

idahodispatch.com/ford-…

ED NOTE
In 2025, bill sponsor Dan Foreman proposed S1008 - Colleges, concealed weapons, but it remained in Senate State Affairs committee. 

S1008 was a clear, simple, one-page bill that would prohibit colleges and universities from banning or regulating the otherwise legal possession of firearms and remove the threats currently used to infringe on this right.

Could Sen. Foreman or another legislator revive and pass S1008 or a similar bill in 2026? Doing so could make transferring Ford Center to CWI solely a financial issue rather than a second amendment issue. See commentary and S1008 link at tinyurl.com/2ab4va4n

Summary (Grok ai, edited; image from article)

The Ford Idaho Center in Nampa may be transferred to the College of Western Idaho (CWI), making it a permanent gun-free zone due to Idaho’s campus carry law.

Current law prohibits firearms in public entertainment facilities with over 1,000 seats owned by state educational institutions. After the transfer, said to be driven by budget constraints, CWI could continue hosting events such as the Snake River Stampede, but firearms would be banned except for security or law enforcement.

ED NOTE: Will transferring Ford Center to CWI stop Second Amendment supporters from attending Ford Center events?

Transfer Proposal: Nampa considers transferring Ford Idaho Center to CWI ostensibly due to budget issues. [ED NOTE: We don’t know enough to understand how transferring this venue to CWI will solve the budget issues.]

Gun-Free Zone: Under Idaho Code 18-3309, the transfer would make the facility a permanent gun-free zone.

• Applies to facilities with 1,000+ seats owned by state educational institutions.

• Firearms banned except for approved security or law enforcement.

Current Rules: Ford Center’s firearm policies vary by event.

CWI’s Role: CWI plans to maintain public events, including Snake River Stampede (tinyurl.com/y2vuut7k).

Timeline: Transfer, if approved, effective by September 30, 2025.

Related:

• CWI pursues ‘no-cash’ acquisition of Nampa’s Idaho Center: tinyurl.com/27fpapmt

  Idaho Center facilities could host classes by day, and community events by night. The horse park is a natural tie-in to CWI’s existing plan for a 40-acre Agricultural Sciences Complex. Oak View Group could partner with CWI, Jones said, helping to create a degree program in event management. And while Jones has never pursued athletics programs at CWI, the center could provide a venue for basketball or rodeo teams.

• CITY OF NAMPA AND COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO EXPLORE POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF FORD IDAHO CENTER. Community Town Hall Planned for July 15, 2025 from 4-6 p.m.

  The partnership between the two public entities would ensure this significant community asset remains under public stewardship, while creating opportunities to expand educational and workforce programs, introduce more commercial activity and further activate the area.