Eleven-year-old Bailey Nielson was accompanied by her grandfather when she appeared at a gun legislation hearing at the Idaho Statehouse today.

According to Fox News, the hearing held in Idaho’s capital was about legislation that would allow Idaho visitors (who can legally possess guns) to carry a concealed handgun in urban areas.

Nielsen’s grandfather, Charles Nielsen, walked into the hearing with Bailey who was wearing a loaded AR-15 rifle on her shoulder.

Her grandfather spoke to the House panel at the Statehouse in support of the gun legislation:

“Bailey is carrying a loaded AR-15. People live in fear, terrified of that which they do not understand. She’s been shooting since she was 5 years old. She got her first deer with this weapon at 9. 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 fear on a daily basis.”

Wow! Bailey’s grandfather did a great job!

He used Bailey as an example of responsible gun ownership.

The State Rep. proposing the measure had a personal experience where all she did was pulled her gun out to fend off two men to defend her child. She understands the importance of being able to carry:

“I stand here before you today as a mother and grandmother who has had to use a firearm to defend their child,”

“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.”

The irony is that the group ‘Moms Demand Action’ is opposed to the measure because of the fear that guns could get into the hands of criminals. Isn’t that exactly why the State Rep. was saved from two criminals? What would have happened to her if she hadn’t been armed?

“Idaho residents 18 and older are allowed to carry a concealed handgun within city limits in Idaho without a permit or training following a new law that went into place last summer. The legislation would extend that to any legal resident of the United States or a U.S. armed services member.”

Opponents say allowing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon without any required training within city limits is a bad idea and could lead to shootings. If the bill becomes law, Idaho would be among a handful of states that allow that type of concealed carry.

Who was lucky enough to have an adult teach you how to handle a firearm? We’d love to hear your story.