LaMarche letter: Concealed carry

You have to hand it to the Idaho Republicans. After years of redistricting and gerrymandering, the results have been paying off handsomely in our Legislature. They have split up the voting bloc in population centers (like Ada County) and isolated the Democratic and Independent voters. A dream come true for the conservatives because now they can bring forth and pass any self-serving bill they please.

Take for instance the SB 1389 concealed carry bill. It was a mere formality when Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie introduced it to the Senate knowing full well it would pass along party lines. He could barely conceal a smirk as he went through the motions on the Senate floor and the bill was opened up for “debate.”

Besides the NRA and their local mouthpiece McKenzie, whom does this bill benefit? Is it the will of the people? A recent poll by Everytown for Gun Safety reports 81 percent of Idahoans support concealed-carry permitting.

The governor has yet to sign the bill but it’s likely a forgone conclusion. And perhaps two things may come of this for Sen. McKenzie. A vehicle to further the NRA’s agenda and an opportunity to stick it to the population centers.

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "LaMarche letter: Concealed carry."