Committee backs bill allowing retired law-enforcement instructors to teach enhanced concealed-carry classes
February 17, 2025 | State Affairs, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho
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The House State Affairs Committee voted to send House Bill 48 to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation after members heard testimony from firearms instructors and a retired law enforcement trainer.
The bill, introduced in committee by Representative Charlie Shepherd, would allow retired law enforcement instructors to continue providing the legal instruction portion of enhanced concealed-weapon permits after they leave active service. Shepherd said the change corrects an oversight in current law and would expand the pool of experienced instructors available for the enhanced concealed-carry courses.
Shepherd told the committee the change “is just really that simple” and said the state needs more qualified instructors to ensure people are trained “proficiently before they start concealed carrying.”
Owner and instructor Amy Georges of American Freedom Defense testified she and her husband teach enhanced concealed-weapon classes across Idaho and described the training certificate currently used by instructors. Georges said Idaho Code requires the legal instruction portion of the enhanced course to be delivered in person by either an active or retired member of the state bar or an Idaho peace officer holding an intermediate or advanced certificate, but that sheriff offices differ in how they interpret “holding a certificate.” “Holding a certificate is up to the discretion of the sheriff of what that means and it's not consistent across our state,” Georges told the committee.
A retired law enforcement instructor identified as Jim said his experience instructing both officers and civilians on use-of-force topics makes retired officers valuable classroom instructors. “The experienced law enforcement officer can relay what that feels like and the after the incident is extremely important,” Jim said, describing how that experience helps civilians understand the legal and personal consequences of force.
Representative Akiles moved to send H48 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Committee members voiced assent and the chair said the motion carried.
The bill will next proceed to the full House for consideration.
The bill, introduced in committee by Representative Charlie Shepherd, would allow retired law enforcement instructors to continue providing the legal instruction portion of enhanced concealed-weapon permits after they leave active service. Shepherd said the change corrects an oversight in current law and would expand the pool of experienced instructors available for the enhanced concealed-carry courses.
Shepherd told the committee the change “is just really that simple” and said the state needs more qualified instructors to ensure people are trained “proficiently before they start concealed carrying.”
Owner and instructor Amy Georges of American Freedom Defense testified she and her husband teach enhanced concealed-weapon classes across Idaho and described the training certificate currently used by instructors. Georges said Idaho Code requires the legal instruction portion of the enhanced course to be delivered in person by either an active or retired member of the state bar or an Idaho peace officer holding an intermediate or advanced certificate, but that sheriff offices differ in how they interpret “holding a certificate.” “Holding a certificate is up to the discretion of the sheriff of what that means and it's not consistent across our state,” Georges told the committee.
A retired law enforcement instructor identified as Jim said his experience instructing both officers and civilians on use-of-force topics makes retired officers valuable classroom instructors. “The experienced law enforcement officer can relay what that feels like and the after the incident is extremely important,” Jim said, describing how that experience helps civilians understand the legal and personal consequences of force.
Representative Akiles moved to send H48 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Committee members voiced assent and the chair said the motion carried.
The bill will next proceed to the full House for consideration.
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