An 11-year-old girl has openly carried an AR-15 rifle into a gun legislation hearing in Idaho’s capital.

Bailey Nielsen – escorted by her grandfather – visited a House panel at the Idaho Statehouse to support legislation allowing visitors to the state who can legally posses firearms to carry concealed handguns in urban areas.

Under an Idaho law that went into effect last summer, any resident aged 18 and older can carry a concealed handgun within city limits inside the state without a permit. The law Ms Nielsen supports would extend that right to any legal US resident or armed services member.

According to the Associated Press, Ms Nielsen’s grandfather, Charles, addressed the panel. Ms Nilsen was silent during the encounter.

“Bailey is carrying a loaded AR-15,” Mr Nielsen said. “People live in fear, terrified of which they do not understand. She’s been shooting since she was five years old,” he said. “She got her first deer with this weapon at nine. She carries it responsibly. She knows how not to put her finger on the trigger. We live in fear in a society that is fed dear on a daily basis.”

Gun rights rally in Virginia Show all 32 1 /32 Gun rights rally in Virginia Gun rights rally in Virginia Gun rights advocates and militia members attend a rally organised by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capitol building in Richmond Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a 'red flag' law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat AP Gun rights rally in Virginia While event organisers asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other far-right groups from across the country attended the rally with guns to show their support for gun rights AP Gun rights rally in Virginia A man with his face covered joins the rally Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144558 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by VirginiaÃ•s Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 20: Gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capitol building January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Win McNamee Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia A woman speaks during a pro-gun rally, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Thousands of pro-gun supporters are expected at the rally to oppose gun control legislation like universal background checks that are being pushed by the newly elected Democratic legislature. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez AP Gun rights rally in Virginia An armed militia member wears a badge commemorating today at a gun rights rally near Virginia's Capitol, in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake JONATHAN DRAKE Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144964 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia People hold a sign near the Virginia State Capitol building to advocate for gun rights in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith STEPHANIE KEITH Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia Kem Regik, of Virginia, stands on the sidewalk before a pro gun rally, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va. There was a light crowd early morning Monday outside the Capitol ahead of the rally. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez AP Gun rights rally in Virginia People who are part of an armed militia group arrive near the Virginia State Capitol building to advocate for gun rights in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith STEPHANIE KEITH Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia People hold a sign near the Virginia State Capitol building to advocate for gun rights in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith STEPHANIE KEITH Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144557 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by VirginiaÃ•s Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia A woman holds a t-shirt as gun rights advocates and militia members attend rally in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart JIM URQUHART Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia RICHMOND, VA - JANUARY 20: Gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capitol building on January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a 'red flag' law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat. While event organizers have asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other far-right groups from across the country plan to attend the rally and show their support for gun rights. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Zach Gibson Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia A protestor holds a sign in front of the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond, Virginia on January 20, 2020. - Thousands of gun rights supporters descended for a rally in the grounds of the State Capitol under heavy surveillance after authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency for fear of violence by far-right groups. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) ROBERTO SCHMIDT AFP via Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144519 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144971 Alex Jones of Info Wars delivers remarks to gun-rights supporters gathered for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia Demonstrators stand on the capitol grounds ahead of a pro gun rally, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Steve Helber AP Gun rights rally in Virginia RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 20: Gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capitol building January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a 'red flag' law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat. While event organizers have asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other far-right groups from across the country plan to attend the rally and show their support for gun rights. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Win McNamee Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia Demonstrators stand outside a security zone before a pro gun rally, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez AP Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144513 Gun-rights supporters go through security as they gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO JIM LO SCALZO EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia RICHMOND, VA - JANUARY 20: Gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square near the state capitol building on January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a 'red flag' law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat. While event organizers have asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other far-right groups from across the country plan to attend the rally and show their support for gun rights. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Zach Gibson Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia Demonstrators march during a pro-gun rally, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Thousands of pro-gun supporters are expected at the rally to oppose gun control legislation like universal background checks that are being pushed by the newly elected Democratic legislature. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez AP Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144522 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144532 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by Virginia's Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia epa08144560 Gun-rights supporters gather for a rally outside the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, USA, 20 January 2020. Virginia Citizens Defense League organized the rally to lobby against gun measures, introduced by VirginiaÃ•s Democratic-led assembly, that would require background checks and ban guns in some public parks and buildings. The rally also attracted militia members, white supremacists, and other far-right extremists. EPA/SHAWN THEW SHAWN THEW EPA Gun rights rally in Virginia A person who is part of an armed militia group arrives near the Virginia State Capitol building to advocate for gun rights in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith STEPHANIE KEITH Reuters Gun rights rally in Virginia Pro gun protestors gather outside the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond, Virginia on January 20, 2020. - Thousands of gun rights supporters descended for a rally in the grounds of the State Capitol under heavy surveillance after authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency for fear of violence by far-right groups. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) ROBERTO SCHMIDT AFP via Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia Police guard the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond, Virginia on January 20, 2020. - Thousands of gun rights supporters descended for a rally in the grounds of the State Capitol under heavy surveillance after authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency for fear of violence by far-right groups. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) ROBERTO SCHMIDT AFP via Getty Gun rights rally in Virginia Gun-rights supporters gather for the rally at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Monday morning Jan. 20, 2020. Gun-rights activists and other groups are descending on Virginiaâ€™s capital city of Richmond to protest plans by the state's Democratic leadership to pass gun-control legislation. (Rob Ostermaier/The Virginian-Pilot via AP) Rob Ostermaier AP

He argued that responsible gun owners visiting the state should be allowed to carry their weapons without a permit.

“When they come to Idaho, they should be able to carry concealed, because they carry responsibly,” he said. “They’re law-abiding citizens. It’s the criminal we have to worry about.”

Opponents to the law argue it would allow teenagers to carry a concealed weapon within city limits without any training and could lead to shootings.

Republican Representative Christy Zito, who proposed the law, argued that the measure is intended to clarify existing gun laws and give citizens the ability to defend themselves.

“I stand here before you today as a mother and grandmother who has had to use a firearm to defend their child,” Ms Zito said. “Even though I didn’t have to pull the trigger, just the fact that they could see it, and they knew that I had it, was the determining factor.”

She said two men once approached her vehicle while she and her daughter were inside.

Last week, Ms Zito passed a gun bill allowing Idaho citizens to take guns into all publicly owned properties, including those leased by private entities.