For the first time in more than 30 years, the federal government is reopening a process that allows certain people who are federally prohibited from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their gun rights. But there is an important limitation that is getting lost in many of the headlines: For most people convicted of state crimes, this new federal process is not the answer. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a final rule establishing a process for applications under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c), a federal law allowing certain…Read More
A recent federal court ruling has dealt a major blow to the National Firearms Act, or NFA, the federal law that for more than 90 years has regulated suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns and certain other firearms. The ruling is significant. But it is also being badly oversimplified online. The court did not simply declare the entire National Firearms Act unconstitutional. It did not eliminate every federal firearm law, nor does it override a state’s laws. It also does not allow every American to immediately disregard every NFA…Read More
One of the most important decisions you make when creating a Revocable Living Trust is choosing who will serve as your successor trustee. This is the person who steps in to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and administers your trust after your death. For many people, the first instinct is to name an adult child, another family member, or a close friend. While those choices can certainly work, they are not always the best choice. In many situations, a corporate trustee can provide significant advantages that families don't…Read More
Firearms are as “Idaho” as fresh air and wildlife. Shooting firearms or simply collecting them is a way of life, and it is how many Idaho families teach their children values and responsibility. Teaching a child firearm safety, sighting in a rifle before hunting season, letting friends hunt on your property, or maintaining a long-established private range are traditions passed down with the family ranch or farm. Similarly, a family’s ranch rifle or service pistol is a legacy preciously handed down through the generations. And while firearms demand respect, discipline,…Read More
The following is an excerpt from Alex Kincaid’s new book, “The Idaho Rancher’s Legal Guide.” The book will be available in 2026 from Amazon and at Alex Kincaid Law in Emmett. Anyone who has spent time around horses understands one simple truth: Risk is part of the deal. Riders fall. Horses spook. Gates get left open. A calm gelding can have a bad day, and a well-trained mare can react in a split second to something no one else even noticed. This reality has shaped ranch life for generations, and…Read More
Why a Pet Trust Might Be One of the Most Important Parts of Your Estate Plan For many families, pets are not just animals. They are companions, protectors, and part of the household. Whether it is a loyal ranch dog, a barn cat that keeps the mice away, or a horse that has been with you for years, these animals depend on you for everything. But here is the hard question most people avoid: What happens to your pets if something happens to you? Too often, the answer is uncertain.…Read More
What Every Rancher Should Know About Livestock Activities Immunity Ranching is a way of life defined by physical work, unpredictable animals, and activities that naturally carry risk. Many ranchers engage in activities to help children learn and compete in events where livestock will be involved. No matter how careful or experienced everyone may be, accidents can and do happen. Livestock work has always been unpredictable. Idaho’s lawmakers understand this reality. To prevent ranchers, instructors, and event organizers from being buried in lawsuits over risks that are inherent to livestock work,…Read More
At first glance, Idaho’s draft bill RCB204 may not seem particularly dramatic. It doesn’t declare a constitutional showdown with the federal government. It doesn’t attempt to ignore federal law. And it doesn’t rely on creative legal gymnastics to reinterpret existing statutes. Instead, it takes a much simpler approach. The bill essentially says that machine guns are legal under Idaho law if they are legal under federal law. That may sound obvious, but from a legal perspective, it could matter quite a bit. Federal Law Still Controls Machine Guns Under current…Read More
A New Tool for Protecting Working Lands In 2024, Idaho took a major step to protect farms, ranches, and working forest land from the pressures of growth and development. On July 1, 2024, the Agricultural Protection Area Act went into effect, giving qualifying landowners the option to formally designate their property as an “agricultural protection area.” This designation is voluntary, but powerful. Once land is approved, it receives long-term legal protections against nuisance lawsuits, restrictive local regulations, and unwanted zoning changes. The goal is simple: allow Idaho’s agricultural landowners to…Read More
