Idaho Dispatch

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Op-Ed: “Dis-Lodge” House Bill 300

By • March 24, 2021

The socialists in Washington, D.C. have been poised to seize this moment for years.  Gun control activists who have met with resistance in the past have zero opposition now that they control the entire congress of the United States, and anyone paying attention can identify multiple bills that seek to limit and restrict gun purchases, privacy, and ownership.

Members of the Idaho State Legislature claiming that new second amendment protections are unnecessary in Idaho are either grossly uninformed or are complicit in the effort to hinder gun owners from an unrestricted expression of their right to bear arms.

The right to life is God-given and cannot be granted or taken away by government.  Inherent in the right to life is the right to bear arms.  The ability to defend one’s life is ubiquitous with the right to live.  House Bill 300 is not a petition to government to grant rights, but a measure to better define and defend a natural right.  Support for this bill is an effort to instruct our servants in the state legislature as to how we want our rights preserved.

House Bill 300 is an expansion of Idaho’s small arms protection act and would have nearly universal support across the state of Idaho, yet it is having difficulty getting out of the Senate State Affairs committee because of one powerful member; its chair, Senator Patti Anne Lodge.  It is claimed that she has a personal grudge against second amendment supporters and is expressing it by stymying the advance of this bill.

Whether members of the Idaho State Legislature are willing to acknowledge it or not, the federal government will be enacting gun control bills this year, and if Idaho is not prepared to counter those threats, all Idahoans will suffer a loss of freedom.

Patti Anne Lodge’s willingness to punish all Idahoans, due to personal prejudice, deserves censure.  It is reprehensible that many committee chairmen in the Idaho State Legislature abuse their position in this manner, and it will require more citizens to put pressure on them to discharge their duties with greater integrity.

Now is the time for every gun owner to speak up and help “dis-Lodge” HB 300 from its sticking point in Patti Anne Lodge’s Senate State Affairs committee.  If allowed a hearing, its merits would be obvious and the support of citizens across the state could not be denied.  This is how the legislative process works in a republic.  Let’s make it happen!

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Tags: 2nd Amendment, House Bill 300, Julie Paine, Patti Anne Lodge, Senate State Affairs

41 thoughts on “Op-Ed: “Dis-Lodge” House Bill 300

    1. Seconding what Joyanna Keith said, “ You know, in my youth, I used to feel the government had my back, could be depended upon to protect it’s citizens and not abuse it’s power because it was given to them by “we the people.” After all, the constitution is the greatest document ever written, not to mention the longest lasting political document. The US has always been a nation others look to as the example of what it looks like to be truly free. This all happened because the forefathers stopped to pray before they created the constitution. Their answer from God came in him providing words that are even more relevant today than ever before. The writing of this profoundly perfect document, and indeed our very nation, was based on their faith and trust in God. Unfortunately, the older I get the more I see that power corrupts all. Greed corrupts all. Our government, both federally, and locally have forgotten they work for us. YOU work for us, and yet you sell us out, over and over. You take political favors, look the other way when you see corruption staring you in the face, and let your personal vendettas get in the way of doing what we, your constituents want! Stop it! Government tyranny needs to stop now! Why aren’t you as a citizen of these United States, let alone this great state of Idaho, outraged by what’s going on, let alone as our representative? Don’t you realize that as you stand on the sidelines, or pass the buck of responsibility, you are allowing not only the tyranny to continue, but to prosper?! It must and will stop, and if you won’t stop stop it, we will remove you from your cushy office and install someone who will and if that doesn’t work, you will see a revolt the likes of which you haven’t seen since the last revolutionary war if ever! We the people are getting sick of being silenced, our freedoms being stolen, our elections corrupted, and our very lives being devalued. HB300 must be heard, It must be passed! We must fight the federal government on any and all tactics to steal our freedoms! We must have the stones to stand with our brother states who have stood and do stand against the federal government tyranny!”

      1. Well said.
        Unfortunately, our State and local governments are full of RINOs and people who think government exists to control and manipulate people.

  1. H300 is currently not in Senate State Affairs and therefore not in Senator Lodge’s control. H300 is in the House State Affairs committee

    1. It is only in the House because Senator Patti Anne Lodge ignored Senator Christy Zito’s request for a hearing. Senator Zito sent a request for a hearing on February 18th and was ignored by Senator Lodge.

      Now the RINO Senators in the Senate are side-stepping their responsibilities by claiming they can’t do anything about HB 300 because it’s “in the House.” These “legislators” are more interested in playing establishment politics than they are serving the citizens of Idaho. They favor their institutional fiefdoms rather than the will of the people to strengthen Idaho’s 2nd Amendment protections.

    2. Thank you Mark.. I was in the process of calling Senator Lodge when I read your comment. Needless to say I changed direction.

  2. Idahoans want 2A protections. Get this bill passed asap. I read the 9th circuit court has decided open carry is not constitutional. You all have your work cut out for you! Do what you need to do to bypass Patti Lodge. We The People are counting on you!

  3. H300 is a House bill. It is in the House State Affairs Committee. It is NOT in or under the control of Senator Patty Ann Lodge as she is the Chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

    1. Senator Martin,

      Why did Senator Patti Anne Lodge not agree to hear the Idaho Small Arms Protection Act (HB 300) when Senator Christy Zito requested a Senate hearing? Senator Zito reached out directly to Senator Lodge via email on February 18th (you have a copy of this email) to request a hearing.

      Why aren’t you and others supportive of the provisions of HB 300?

    2. Well Fred either you are one of those who seek to line your own filthy pockets with tax payers money or you are a stranger to the English language. But either way you ARE part of the communist problem in government an you will be removed with the rest of the trash. LODGE is the reason the bill originated in the house not the senate. Her personal feelings an beliefs, the same as yours, have absolutely NO PLACE in the service of the people.

  4. How can Senator Lodge be involved in a House Bull till it hits the Senate Floor? And why is she stalling that? This is an atrocity and abuse of power. Fix it Senator Lodge. !!!! What are you afraid of Lodge???

  5. Senator Lodge you need to put your personal differences behind you and concern yourself with the work of the people. Do your job and give HB300 a hearing we the people demand it immediately. Do your job Senator Lodge. !!! Quit Stalking this important bill

  6. Senator Lodge, quit playing games with Idaho citizen freedoms. We support HB 300 because it is our right. We must keep Idaho free from any form of non- constitutional compliace and anything that strips us of that right that set this country apart from All others. We the People. Do your sworn obligation to defend our rights under any circumstance. Enough is enough.

  7. HB 300 is very important to the people of Idaho. Why would Senator Lodge refuse to give this a hearing in the Senate? One would think that petty politics and playing fast and loose with our sacred 2A is an egregious abuse of knes position. Give this the attention it deserves !

  8. Senator Lodge it would be behoove of you, if you value the office you hold to allow HB300 to move forward. Quit playing childish politics, quit ignoring requests, and dis-Lodge your head from your orifice!

  9. HB 300 is an opportunity to not only set a tone for Idaho politics, but also for other states and to encourage other states to not submit to the tyranny the federal government is trying to impose. Sitting on the sidelines doesn’t leave you out of the decision. You’re allowing states rights to be infringed and neglecting your role as a representative of the people. Do the right thing, make the right choice, represent your people

  10. I love how the argument in the comments is where the bill is or isn’t. The point is, Lodge blocked it from being heard. Politicians that claim to be for the people have sold out. Senators like Christy Zito truly represent her constituents. Most the others play jr high games and make things personal. HB300 needs a hearing and it needs to be hear NOW. All you Rinos are going to find yourself out of office very soon. We The People of Idaho have had enough of the BS!

  11. HB 300 is a step in the RIGHT direction in providing 2A protections for Idahoans! Senator Lodge, NOT allowing this bill to be heard is a HUGE slap in the faces of the very people who put you where you are! I along with many many others DEMAND you do your due diligence or you can side step your way out of office!!!

  12. I sent an email to the entire Senate House Affairs Committee. I only heard back from one member and the committee secretary. Both responded basically saying, “It’s not in the Senate, so the committee can’t do anything.” I replied stating they could have had a hearing when Sen. Zito first asked, they could have co-sponsored the bill, they could have demanded Sen. Lodge allow the bill to move forward. Crickets since then. They don’t care about us or what we, the citizens of Idaho want. I only hope Idahoans remember this, along with the lack of action on taxes, the RINOs that are okay with the feds flying illegals into our state, etc., come election time.

  13. In this critical time in our country and our state, it is much more important for the legislature to drop petty and obvious personal issues with one another and begin working for the citizens of Idaho. The federal government is borderline authoritarian and the Idaho Legislature needs to be aware of how vulnerable, Idaho’s citizens are in the face of the onslaught of bills coming out of the House of Representatives. Coupled with coincidental uptick in mass shootings, these federal bills, if they become law, will make a majority of our law abiding citizens , criminals, overnight. All the while REAL criminals, who do NOT obey laws anyway, will still own , obtain and do crimes with guns. HB 300 solidifies and protects, not just our citizens, but LEO’s who refuse to persecute, ( yes persecute), those under federal law and also directs the Idaho AG to act against such measures. I am not sure why this bill would not pass with a bipartisan majority in this state…given our history of gun ownership and low low gun crime rate. Time to act is now…a we are watching what you do…and how it aligns with what you say!

  14. You know, in my youth, I used to feel the government had my back, could be depended upon to protect it’s citizens and not abuse it’s power because it was given to them by “we the people.” After all, the constitution is the greatest document ever written, not to mention the longest lasting political document. The US has always been a nation others look to as the example of what it looks like to be truly free. This all happened because the forefathers stopped to pray before they created the constitution. Their answer from God came in him providing words that are even more relevant today than ever before. The writing of this profoundly perfect document, and indeed our very nation, was based on their faith and trust in God. Unfortunately, the older I get the more I see that power corrupts all. Greed corrupts all. Our government, both federally, and locally have forgotten they work for us. YOU work for us, and yet you sell us out, over and over. You take political favors, look the other way when you see corruption staring you in the face, and let your personal vendettas get in the way of doing what we, your constituents want! Stop it! Government tyranny needs to stop now! Why aren’t you as a citizen of these United States, let alone this great state of Idaho, outraged by what’s going on, let alone as our representative? Don’t you realize that as you stand on the sidelines, or pass the buck of responsibility, you are allowing not only the tyranny to continue, but to prosper?! It must and will stop, and if you won’t stop stop it, we will remove you from your cushy office and install someone who will and if that doesn’t work, you will see a revolt the likes of which you haven’t seen since the last revolutionary war if ever! We the people are getting sick of being silenced, our freedoms being stolen, our elections corrupted, and our very lives being devalued. HB300 must be heard, It must be passed! We must fight the federal government on any and all tactics to steal our freedoms! We must have the stones to stand with our brother states who have stood and do stand against the federal government tyranny!

  15. Everyone knows that the election was stolen, the House and Senate stolen via voter fraud, election fixing, paid propaganda bias news, big criminal players who are driven by a globalist/socialist ideology which required the destruction of our country…that is why the 1st and 2nd amendments are under fire more now than ever. So with the criminal election, we now face criminal acts of attempting to destroy our constitution. The federal level is going for the guns. You are blind if you cannot see that. This bill HB300 puts protections in place for our great state of IDAHO from federal controls that are formed by these criminals who stole our Capital in DC. Those who are standing in the way of this important protection/legislation must be investigated as to why. Servants of Idaho should serve the interests of Idaho or resign. Get to work for Idaho, a Idahoan.

  16. At this moment we are in a very unfriendly political climate. Attacks on the God given rights all Americans have and hold dear are increasingly threatened. HB 300 needs to be passed as soon as possible, with out delay. Idahoans more than ever need those we elected to do their best to get legistration through to protect our rights, and will hold accountable any who delay in their duties. We will remember those that pass this bill, and those that will NOT!

  17. I want to be HEARD, and I am not feeling that I am NOT.
    Representatives are quite obviously abusing their offices to push their individual agendas over that of the greater community’s desires. This is WRONG.

    One problem is the “silencing”… this is what we are facing right here, RIGHT NOW.

    Our elected REPS should DO THEIR JOBS.
    And their jobs are not to make decisions on their own beliefs and opinions… their jobs are to connect with those who elected them and fight for them… and more importantly, fight to support and uphold our Constitution.

    Let HB 300 be HEARD! We The People DEMAND to be heard.

    I AM a voter, I am a taxpayer, I will not accept a representative ignoring me…

    So HEAR IT OUT…

    And IMO you should help pass it… “REPS”.
    Listen to the people.

  18. Veterans of every war have fought and died to preserve these rare and beautiful freedoms which HB 300 would protect. These freedoms are rapidly being eroded and are under constant attack like our 2nd Amendment!!! Senator Lodge your conduct towards protecting our 2nd amendment in Idaho is completely unacceptable! Not only are you telling every veteran and all fallen veterans families that the sacrifices made for our freedoms Means nothing to you, but you’d let the people of Idaho have their rights trampled so you could be on a power trip aimed at another Senator! Be advised you work for us, “We The People“ you do not work for the Chinese, Democrats or the globalists. Do what’s right HB 300 needs to be passed immediately!
    -Sincerely
    A United States Marine
    God Bless & Semper Fi

  19. House Assistant Majority Leader Representative Brent Crane can get the first part of this process done by agreeing to hear HB 300 in the House, as soon as session resumes (following the nonsensical legislative vacation “due to Covid.”).

    Representative Crane- schedule a hearing for HB 300 immediately. The People of Idaho demand that the House do its job so the Senate will be forced to to its job.

    Representative Crane can be reached at bcrane@house.idaho.gov.

  20. Here is the email from Senator Zito, dated February 18th, with the request to Senator Lodge that the Idaho Small Arms Protection Act (SAPA/HB 300) be heard in the Senate. Lodge ignored this request, and now wants Senator Zito to try to work better with her Senate colleagues. In other words, “play by the rules of our political games and know your role, Christy…”

    Begin forwarded message:
    From:
    Subject: Small Arms Protection Request
    Date: February 18, 2021 at 3:32:35 PM MST
    To: Senator Patti Anne Lodge

    Good afternoon Senator Lodge,

    I am writing to ask you for a hearing for the Idaho Second Amendment Protection Act (also known as the Idaho Small Arms Protection Act) expansion. I have included a video done by the attorney that wrote the bill, a copy of the RS, and a letter from Alex Kincaid.

    The Idaho Small Arms Protection Act is unlike any other legislation in the country, designed to protect the owners of small arms in Idaho.

    Idaho has a Firearm Freedom Act however our prior law passed has been proven to be insufficient to protect gun owners as the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that some provisions of our law violates the supremacy clause of the United States constitution.

    Our goal is to defend the right of Idahoans to possess the arms necessary to protect and defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Idahoans expect the Democrat-controlled Congress to pass law, and President Biden to issue executive orders which will impose significant taxes on firearms and accessories routinely owned by Idahoans, tax on ammunition, require background checks, waiting periods for firearms and ammunition, registration of firearms, licensing by individuals wishing to possess a firearm, or declare certain firearms and accessories illegal.

    Idaho’s constitution prohibits registration of firearms.

    ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
    Section 11. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. The people have the right to keep and bear arms, which right shall not be abridged; but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to govern the carrying of weapons concealed on the person nor prevent passage of legislation providing minimum sentences for crimes committed while in possession of a firearm, nor prevent the passage of legislation providing penalties for the possession of firearms by a convicted felon, nor prevent the passage of any legislation punishing the use of a firearm. No law shall impose licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition. Nor shall any law permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony.

    This bill does not declare federal law which have been in place for decades are null, rather it protects certain arms, ammunition, reloading supplies and components. Many of these items have been declared illegal in other states. Idaho will protect the right of our citizens to own and use them pursuant to their right protected by the Second Amendment.

    This legislation will provide criminal and civil immunity to law enforcement officials and elected officials who refuse to aid federal agents in enforcing federal law passed that is not pursuant to the United States Constitution, Idaho’s Constitution, or Idaho code. If the Attorney General of the state of Idaho will not defend this legislation, this bill provides a way for the legislature to pass a concurrent resolution to intervene on behalf of our state.

    This law will not allow for violation of federal law, this is a statement that the State of Idaho will defend your right to own these small arms.

    We invite all to join us in this effort to declare our state sovereignty, uphold our Second Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Ninth Amendment and Tenth Amendment.

    Thank you for taking time to review this request,

    Respectfully,

    Senator Christy Zito

  21. Here is the email from Senator Zito, dated February 18th, with the request to Senator Lodge that the Idaho Small Arms Protection Act (SAPA/HB 300) be heard in the Senate. Lodge ignored this request, and now wants Senator Zito to try to work better with her Senate colleagues. In other words, “play by the rules of our political games and know your role, Christy…”

    Begin forwarded message:
    From:
    Subject: Small Arms Protection Request
    Date: February 18, 2021 at 3:32:35 PM MST
    To: Senator Patti Anne Lodge

    Good afternoon Senator Lodge,

    I am writing to ask you for a hearing for the Idaho Second Amendment Protection Act (also known as the Idaho Small Arms Protection Act) expansion. I have included a video done by the attorney that wrote the bill, a copy of the RS, and a letter from Alex Kincaid.

    The Idaho Small Arms Protection Act is unlike any other legislation in the country, designed to protect the owners of small arms in Idaho.

    Idaho has a Firearm Freedom Act however our prior law passed has been proven to be insufficient to protect gun owners as the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that some provisions of our law violates the supremacy clause of the United States constitution.

    Our goal is to defend the right of Idahoans to possess the arms necessary to protect and defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Idahoans expect the Democrat-controlled Congress to pass law, and President Biden to issue executive orders which will impose significant taxes on firearms and accessories routinely owned by Idahoans, tax on ammunition, require background checks, waiting periods for firearms and ammunition, registration of firearms, licensing by individuals wishing to possess a firearm, or declare certain firearms and accessories illegal.

    Idaho’s constitution prohibits registration of firearms.

    ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
    Section 11. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. The people have the right to keep and bear arms, which right shall not be abridged; but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to govern the carrying of weapons concealed on the person nor prevent passage of legislation providing minimum sentences for crimes committed while in possession of a firearm, nor prevent the passage of legislation providing penalties for the possession of firearms by a convicted felon, nor prevent the passage of any legislation punishing the use of a firearm. No law shall impose licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition. Nor shall any law permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony.

    This bill does not declare federal law which have been in place for decades are null, rather it protects certain arms, ammunition, reloading supplies and components. Many of these items have been declared illegal in other states. Idaho will protect the right of our citizens to own and use them pursuant to their right protected by the Second Amendment.

    This legislation will provide criminal and civil immunity to law enforcement officials and elected officials who refuse to aid federal agents in enforcing federal law passed that is not pursuant to the United States Constitution, Idaho’s Constitution, or Idaho code. If the Attorney General of the state of Idaho will not defend this legislation, this bill provides a way for the legislature to pass a concurrent resolution to intervene on behalf of our state.

    This law will not allow for violation of federal law, this is a statement that the State of Idaho will defend your right to own these small arms.

    We invite all to join us in this effort to declare our state sovereignty, uphold our Second Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Ninth Amendment and Tenth Amendment.

    Thank you for taking time to review this request,

    Respectfully,

    Senator Christy Zito

  22. “history has taught us, the only reason the government would want to disarm you, is because they are about to do something you would shoot them for”
    ~WhatsHerFace
    on YouTube 3/27/21

    1. AMEN !!!!!!
      Lodge, get off the pot and get the hell
      Out of the way! You are screwing with all of Idaho’s gun rights. And YOU WILL
      BE RECALLED AND BOOTED FROM OFFICE ! If you don’t get this passed and off your hands consider your Butt RECALLED ! I’m sick and TIRED of BS being played org MY FREEDOMS! AND MY CHILDREN’S FREEDOMS! Do YOUR JOB or get the HELL ON !

      And ONE more thing. Anyone that try’s to defend The LODGE, you will also be RECALLED !!! Get the hell on board or your held responsible. I HAVE PERSONALLY EMAILED the members and I know who and who isn’t fighting for this bill to pass !

  23. LODGE, get the Hell out of the way. Your a prime example of our state government being run over by deplorable “RINO’s like yourself. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I’m sure your just a puppet of the CCP. Do the right thing for this great state and its law abiding citizens and pass HB300.

  24. Why would Senator Zito push for a hearing for HB300 in the Senate when legislative rules would have the bill’s House sponsor put it through the House State Affairs Committee? Where it ACTUALLY is? Either Zito’s knowledge of civics and legislative process is completely lacking (which I hope is not the case) or this is pure gamesmanship and Zito is purposely throwing a fellow GOP senator under the bus for her own political gain. Is Zito really fighting that hard for gun rights by trying to pushing a bill through clumsily or is it all just theater? The bill isn’t in the Senate or even under the control of Senator Lodge. I think we deserve better than our lawmakers trying to score cheap points with fake outrage.

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