It was a big week for gun bills in the Montana Legislature. Two controversial bills moved closer to the governor’s desk after passing their second readings and a bill that would allow firearms to be carried on College campuses cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. Montana Shooting Sports Association President Gary Marbut says House bill 203 has its roots in a Supreme Court decision that started in Ravalli County.

"Ravalli county sheriff Jay prince sued the federal government saying I'm not going to do the background checks under your radio law, because you don't pay me, you don't elect me, I don't work for you. Supreme court upheld that and said congress may not commandeer the resources of state and local governments and so, House Bill 203, simply declares that Montana officials may not enforce any new federal gun or magazine ban."

Marbut also explained the reasoning behind Senate Bill 123, commonly referred to as 'Campus Carry.'

"To the primary thrust of that, is the declaration that the unelected bureaucrats of the university system are given no authority whatsoever in the constitution to suspend the constitution or to suspend the constitutional rights that we the people have secured from government intrusion, in the constitution."

So far, nine of the fifteen bills supported by the Montana Shooting Sports Association are still alive at the legislature. The biggest hurdle for many of them will be Governor Steve Bullock’s veto pen. Marbut believes Bullock will be less likely to veto bills in the run-up to a reelection campaign next year.

 

 

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