BOISE - Idaho lawmakers are once again seeking to remove a special exemption that allows elected officials to carry concealed guns without a permit.

The House State Affairs Committee voted Monday to introduce the bill, which would rewrite most of the state's concealed weapon laws and clarify confusing sections for law enforcement and citizens.

The bill would also address where Idahoans can carry weapons without a permit outside city limits. Currently, it's allowed only while fishing, hunting or participating in another outdoor activity.

"What we did was reorder this whole part of the code," said Rep. Judy Boyle from Midvale, who sponsored the legislation. "We added definitions right up front, and we clarified a lot of things."

The measure was introduced after top House and Senate Republicans announced last week that the so-called "constitutional carry" bill, which would have extended permitless carry within city limits, is dead.

The panel will debate the bill at a full hearing in the coming days.

Last year, a similar bill passed the full House 62-7, but failed to pass a Senate panel.

That plan was introduced after former Republican Rep. Mark Patterson from Boise had his concealed carry permit revoked for an attempted rape conviction from decades earlier.

But because he was an elected official, he was still able to carry a concealed weapon.

Republican Rep. Vito Barbieri from Dalton Gardens voted no on requiring lawmakers to have a concealed carry permit, while referencing backlash over his recent question on whether women can swallow a small camera for gynecological exams.

Boyle said the exception has its roots in providing safety for elected officials who may have disagreements or grudges with other people. She said if elected officials feel threatened, they should report it to the authorities like any other citizen.

Rep. Shannon McMillan from Silverton also voted no.