Montana 2013 Pending Gun Legislation

[montanadave]

This information was provided to me by a newer M4C member, pyrotechnic, who received it from the National Assoc. of Gun Rights.

He is asking fellow Montanans to contact the members of the Montana House Judiciary Committee to voice support for these bills.



Pro-gun Bills in front of the House Judiciary Committee this week.


*** HB-304 -- Constitutional Carry allowing anyone who may lawfully possess a firearm, carry that firearm for self-defense without the need to first obtain government permission;

*** HB-302 -- A Firearms protection bill designed to prevent the federal government from overstepping its bounds when it comes to your gun rights. It would penalize anyone trying to enforce any new anti-gun federal law or executive order;

*** HB-240 -- The "Higher Education Rights Restoration Act" -- allows for the carrying of concealed firearms on the campus of a college or university, and;

*** HB-358 -- Repeals certain “gun free criminal safezones.”

Committee Members:

Rep. Jerry Bennett (R-1)
(406) 293-7012

Rep. Mark Blasdel (R-10)
(406) 261-3269

Rep. Virginia Court (D-52)
(406) 259-5099

Rep. Alan Doane (R-38)
(406) 583-7546

Rep. Jenny Eck (D-82)
(406) 459-1082

Rep. Clayton Fiscus (R-46)
(406) 860-6400

Rep. Jenifer Gursky (D-98)
(406) 249-9172

Rep. David Halvorson (R-37)
(406) 482-2568

Ellie Boldman Hill (D-94)
(406) 218-9608

Rep. Sarah Laszloffy (R-57)
(406) 530-7013

Rep. Dennis Lenz (R-50)
(406) 671-7052

Rep. Ryan Lynch (D-74)
(406) 498-6625

Rep. Margie MacDonald (D-54)
(406) 698-4917

Rep. Jerry O'Neil (R-3)
(406) 892-7602

Carolyn Pease-Lopez (D-42)
(406) 245-2265

Rep. Keith Regier (R-5)
(406) 756-6141

Rep. Bridget Smith (D-31)
(406) 653-1234

Rep. Kirk Wagoner (R-77)
(406) 465-8291

Rep. Wendy Warburton (R-34)
(406) 444-4800

Rep. Krayton Kerns (R-58)
(406) 697-6449

A quick way to contact them is through the link below.

http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp

I hope fellow Montanans will assist in keeping this thread updated to help us monitor the status of these bills as well as alert folks to any other firearms-related legislation which warrants attention.

[pyrotechnic]

http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/law0203w$.startup?P_SESS=20131

Looks like the these bills all passed the committee 12-8.
I got the opportunity to ask Governor Bullock what his position was on HB-240 (Concealed Carry on Campus) when he came to MSU Bozeman yesterday.

Asked by another student about a bill to allow carrying concealed weapons on campus for self-defense, Bullock said he doesn’t want to talk about vetoes early in the legislative process because that could be seen as interference. As attorney general, Bullock said, he strongly believed in the Second Amendment, but added that a balance is needed, and even the First Amendment has limits.

“I’d take a look at it carefully,” Bullock said, adding, “I certainly wouldn’t come out to support it.” Kevin O’Brien, the governor’s press secretary, later clarified that the governor meant that he wouldn’t take a position for or against at this point.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com...9bb2963f4.html

We are going to have to turn up the heat on him to make sure he doesn't veto these bills if they pass the legislature. Gov. Schweitzer vetoed the Constitutional Carry bill in 2011. We need to make Bullock aware that he won't serve a second term if he doesn't support our Second Amendment.

I'm not quite sure when these bills will be heard on the floor, but I will keep this thread updated as I find out more.

Thanks

[pyrotechnic]

The above bills all passed the House, except for HB-358. HB-302 (Enforcement of a Federal Ban) has been sent to the Senate Judiciary committee while HB-304 (Constitutional Carry) has been sent to the Senate Education and Cultural Resources committee. The link below can be used to send them a quick message in support of the bills. As of right now HB-240 (Concealed Carry on Campus) has been sent to the Senate, but hasn't been heard or referred to a Committee yet.

http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp

Please call, or write in support of these bills.

Thanks.

[operator81]

On it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

[pyrotechnic]

HB-240 (Carry on Campus) has been referred to the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee, the hearing is on the 13th.
HB-304 (Constitutional Carry) was referred from the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee to the Senate Judiciary Committee, no hearing date as of yet.
HB-302 (Enforcement of Federal Ban) was Amended in Committee and passed, no date for hearing on the floor.

Text for HB-302
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2013/billhtml/HB0302.htm

Again, a quick way to contact these committees is the following link.
http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp

Thanks

[diving dave]

When I saw the title of this thread I almost blew my coffee out my nose..thank goodness they are pro 2nd amendment bills I think Montana wouldn't go retard like Colorado, but its strange times were living in.

[Wreckingball911]

So happy to see some states making moves in the right direction

[pyrotechnic]

HB 302 Passed the Senate with amendments and passed a hearing in the House. It is scheduled for another hearing tomorrow on the 20th. It seems to have been gutted a bit, as enforcing a Fed AWB is now "official misconduct".

HB 304 Was "Concurred" yesterday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Nothing is posted on when it will see the Senate floor.

HB 240 supposedly had a hearing yesterday in the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee, but the site doesn't say anything on its status.

source:
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/law0203w$.startup?P_SESS=20131

[pyrotechnic]

HB 302 has passed both the Senate and the House with amendments.

HB 304 was concurred by the Senate and returned to the house.

HB 240 (campus carry) is being heard by the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee tomorrow. This one is of particular interest to me as I am currently studying at MSU Bozeman. So please take the time to call or email the committee members.

http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/63rd/legwebmessage.asp

Thanks

[pyrotechnic]

HB 240 was passed in the Senate Education and Cultural Resources commitee and moves on to the florr, but it was gutted.

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2013/billhtml/HB0240.htm

(3) THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR A UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM MAY REGULATE OR RESTRICT THE POSSESSION, CARRYING, TRANSPORTATION, OR STORAGE OF FIREARMS UPON OR WITHIN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM PROPERTY IF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OR A UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM DESIGNS AND IMPLEMENTS A "CAMPUS CARRY" PROGRAM IN WHICH A PERSON WHO APPLIES FOR AND IS GRANTED A "CAMPUS CARRY" PERMIT IS ALLOWED TO POSSESS, CARRY, TRANSPORT, AND STORE A FIREARM UPON OR WITHIN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM PROPERTY.

There is no language that sets standards or establishes a "shall issue" system. Basically as I understand it, the University System can stand up a "carry" program and either not issue permits, or issue permits and still designate areas on campus where they are not valid.