OK, break out the champagne – HB 228 Signed Into Law
April 28, 2009
It’s confirmed. The Governor signed HB 228, our Self Defense bill, this morning. The fat lady has sung, and it’s time to celebrate.
There are a lot of people to thank for the passage of HB 228.
First, thanks to all of YOU for your staunch support. Thanks for traveling to Helena to testify, and thanks for the avalanche of messages to committee members and other legislators. Legislators report that they received more messages in support of HB 228 than for ANY other bill, ever. YOU made a difference!!
Second, thanks to sponsor Rep. Krayton Kerns (R-Billings) for doing a great job of carrying the bill. He invested a LOT of effort in HB 228.
Third, thanks to the NRA for (finally) supporting this landmark legislation. The NRA was fully onboard and fully engaged this session, especially the NRA State Liaison for Montana, Brian Judy who has long been a friend to Montana gun owners, even when the NRA in D.C. was hanging back.
Fourth, thanks to Rep. Deb Kottel (D-Great Falls) for her heroic support of HB 228, in both the House and Senate. Deb’s support made a LOT of difference and showed some other Democrats that HB 228 was NOT a partisan, party-line issue, but a “people” issue.
Fifth, thanks to all those other legislators who enthusiastically supported HB 228 and never wavered on the principles involved.
Sixth, thanks to those brave law enforcement professionals who bucked the current and came out publicly in favor of HB 228
Finally, thanks to Governor Schweitzer for signing HB 228, both for doing what he promised in MSSA’s Candidate Questionnaire, AND for being a true Montanan by supporting HB 228.
It wouldn’t be amiss for every one on this list to send a one-line email to Rep. Kerns and Rep. Kottel thanking them for their valiant support of HB 228.
“Krayton Kerns”
“Deborah J. Kottel”
Put “Thanks for HB 228″ in the Subject line.
BTW, thumbs down for the few law enforcement administrators and prosecutors who are so afraid of armed citizens that they lied and claimed end-of-life-on-Earth in opposing HB 228. You need to work locally to replace these people. They just don’t have a Montana attitude.
Whew!! I think it’s time now to go burn some powder (if there’s any available).
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
State budget – FWP Range Funding
April 27, 2009
According to the media the Legislature cut a deal on the state budget and HB 2 yesterday. I haven’t been able to get any fresh information about the level of funding for the Shooting Range Development Program in the FWP budget, so I assume range funding is still at $650,000, instead of the $1.2 million we requested.
It’s time to contact legislators again to ask them to add an appropriation of $550,000 to the FWP budget for shooting range funding. Remind them that this is NOT taxpayer money, but hunter license fee money. Remind them that the $650,000 now in the budget is a 35% cut from what the 2007 Legislature appropriated. Remind them that people in Montana need safe and suitable places to shoot, and that if people in Montana are not shooting they won’t be hunting or buying hunting licenses, putting the long-term income for FWP at risk.
If you are associated with a club that has a shooting range and that uses the range funding to develop its range, that club should rally the troops to contact legislators asking for the full $1.2 million.
This may be our last chance on range funding for this two-year budget period. There are only two days left in the legislative session, Monday and Tuesday.
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
Panel Discussions On Wolves A True Reflection
April 24, 2009
I was just reading an article in the KPVI.com website in regards to a panel discussion that was held at the Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho on wolves. We know debates about wolves become emotional and passionate and as you have come to expect, I’ll add flame to that fire this morning.
Those in attendance? Read more
HR 3 passes committee
April 21, 2009
I received an email from a member of the House Judiciary Committee today to inform me that HR 3, the State Sovereignty Resolution, was passed by the Committee.
HR 3 will now go to the floor of the House for Second Reading.
It’s time to contact your Representative and ask him or her to support HR 3.
Thursday will probably be the Legislature’s last day, so the House only has three more days to get this House-only Resolution through Second and Third Reading.
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
Montana Declares State Sovereignty Through Gun Legislation
April 20, 2009
Montana’s Governor Schweitzer has signed into law HB246, the so-called Montana-Made Gun Bill. What makes this bill unique and extremely interesting is that it is another attempt through gun legislation to reaffirm the state’s right to sovereignty.
HB246 declares that “A personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Montana and that remains within the borders of Montana is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration……” Read more
HB 228 – Action Needed Now
April 20, 2009
HB 228 sponsor Rep. Krayton Kerns reports that the lobbyist for Montana credit unions is lobbying the Governor (at this very late date) to do an amendatory veto of HB 228 to disallow open carry of firearms in credit unions in Montana. If this 12th-hour idea should get any traction, it will open a can of worms with HB 228. There will emerge a pages-long list of places where open carry is not allowed!
Please contact Governor Schweitzer and ask him to sign HB 228 AS IS!
You can phone the Governor’s office at 444-3111 and leave a message, you can fax the Governor at 444-5529 (hint, you can Google up one of the free Internet fax services ["free fax"] to fax a document file from your computer), or you can send a comment to the Governor via his Online comment form at:
http://governor.mt.gov/contact/commentsform.asp
I recommend you keep your message VERY short. Just ask the Governor to sign HB 228 AS IT HAS COME FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
Thanks!!
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
Shooting range funding – HB 2
April 17, 2009
The main state budget bill, HB 2, has been sent to Conference Committee to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions.
In the 2007 session, the Legislature appropriated $1 million for shooting ranges. We’re asking for $1.2 million this session. HB 2 currently contains only $650,000 for shooting ranges.
You should definitely contact HB 2 Conference Committee members and ask them to be sure to put $1.2 million in the FWP budget in HB 2 for shooting ranges. Make the point that this is hunter license money, NOT general tax revenue.
The names and email addresses for Conference Committee members are below, as well as the text of my message to HB 2 CC members.
Thanks,
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
========================
Representative Cynthia Hiner Dear Xxxx, Greetings. We’re asking for $1.2 million of hunter license money in the FWP budget in HB 2 for the Shooting Range Development Program(SRDP). The SRDP uses hunter license money, not tax revenue, to make matching grants to help local clubs provide safe and suitable places for people to shoot throughout Montana. The SRDP may be the most popular use of hunter license dollars with hunters – those paying for the program. Last session the Legislature funded the SRDP with $1 million. We’re asking for $1.2 million this session. Currently, there is $650,000 in the FWP base for the SRDP, a 35% decrease from last session. Please run the SRDP funding up to $1.2 million in the Conference Committee work on HB 2. Thanks loads for your help with this valuable and popular program. April 16, 2009 In your own defense, you need to learn the acronym for another dangerous government entity in Washington, the “DDTC.” I have received permission to distribute a spooky article that will be published in the upcoming issue of Front Sight Magazine, written by Front Sight staff writer Robin Taylor. The article is here: You should REALLY read this article, since the DDTC is about to make all guns, shooting supplies and accessories more expensive or unavailable. Under the guise of implementing an international arms control treaty, the DDTC is fixing to make life VERY difficult for everyone in the U.S. gun culture, beginning with manufacturers of any shooting-related products. By mid-week next week we will have mapped out an action plan for you, and for your intervention in this federal SNAFU. In the meantime, study up on this issue and recirculate this email to whomever you like. Best wishes, Gary Marbut, president April 15, 2009 GOOD NEWS! Governor Schweitzer signed HB 246, MSSA’s Montana-made guns bill, today. HB 246 declares that any guns and ammunition made and retained in Montana are not subject to ANY federal regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate commerce “among the states.” HB 246 will become effective on October 1, 2009. MSSA is beginning now to plan our legal strategy for vetting the legal principles involved. Soon after October 1st, MSSA will determine if it is necessary to file a lawsuit in federal court to prove the principles established in HB 246. If we do need to file this lawsuit (probably will), MSSA will need to do some serious fundraising to defray the expenses involved. Meanwhile, we firmly recommend that no Montanans begin making the proposed Montana-made guns until we are able to vet the legal principles. We do not want any Montanan to become subject to possible federal criminal charges until the legal issues associated with HB 246 are resolved. We are ready now to accept any donations for this project. Remember, MSSA is not a tax-exempt entity – we’ve never sought that status because of the political limitations on tax exempt organizations. So, any donation you may care to make for this effort is NOT tax deductible. If you care to make a donation to MSSA for this purpose, you can make a check payable to MSSA and mail it to MSSA at P.O. Box 4924. Missoula, Montana 59808. In the memo portion of your check, write “Montana-made guns.” Thanks! Our hearty thanks go out to valiant HB 246 sponsor Rep. Joel Boniek (R-Livingston). Joel is a real hero for having carried this bill and having done it so well. This result is especially complimentary to Joel because he is a freshman legislator. He had a steep learning curve going into this session with no prior legislative experience. We also thank those many Montana legislators who supported HB 246 during the legislative process, and we thank Governor Schweitzer both for demonstrating the right Montana attitude by signing HB 246, and for doing what he said he’d do on his 2008 MSSA Candidate Questionnaire. Finally, thanks to ALL of you for having supported HB 246 with messages to legislators. We couldn’t have done it without you!!! Best wishes, Gary Marbut, president April 13, 2009 Governor Schweitzer has done an amendatory veto with HB 150, the recreational liability bill. The Governor’s veto message and proposed amendments are HERE. HB 150 now goes back to the Senate and House to see if those chambers will agree with the Governor’s proposed changes. Because one of the Governor’s proposed changes is to include state entities and state lands within the protections of the bill, the Montana Constitution requires that the Governor’s proposed changes must be approved by 2/3 of the members of each the House and the Senate. On its final passage before going to the Governors desk, HB 150 did get over a 2/3 vote in the Senate, but not in the House (close, but not quite). HB 150 is still a good bill, but the hill to climb just got a bit harder because the Governor wants the State on the sled we’re pulling. Pasted below are the members (Representatives) of the House who were Absent and who voted Against HB 150 when it passed the House. These are the people you should contact to ask them to vote FOR HB 150 as amended by the Governor. Below that is a list of Senators who voted Against HB 150 in the Senate. Thanks, Gary Marbut, president House members Absent for vote House members voting Against Senators voting Against HB 150
Representative Ray Hawk
Representative Jon Sesso
Representative Llew Jones
Senator Dave Lewis
Senator Keith Bales
Senator Trudi Schmidt
Another imminent threat – “DDTC”
http://www.progunleaders.org/DDTC/
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.comFLASH – Good News – Gov signs HB 246
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.comHB 150 – Recreational Liability
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
=========================
HB 150
Hiner, Cynthia
Howard, David
Kasten, Dave
Phillips, Mike
Roundstone, J. David
Steenson, Cheryl
Barrett, Dick
Beck, Paul
Becker, Arlene
Bergren, Bob
Blewett, Anders
Boland, Carlie
Caferro, Mary
Cohenour, Jill
Dickenson, Sue
Driscoll, Robyn
Fleming, John
French, Julie
Hands, Betsy
Henry, Teresa
Hollenbaugh, Galen
MacDonald, Margaret
McAlpin, Dave
McClafferty, Edith (Edie)
Mehlhoff, Robert
Menahan, Mike
Noonan, Art
Noonan, Pat
Peterson, Ken
Pomnichowski, JP
Reinhart, Michele
Sesso, Jon
Van Dyk, Kendall
Wilmer, Franke
Wiseman, Brady
Branae, Gary
Cooney, Mike
Erickson, Ron
Gallus, Steven
Gillan, Kim
Juneau, Carol
Kaufmann, Christine
Keane, Jim
Laslovich, Jesse
Moss, Lynda
Schmidt, Trudi
Shockley, Jim
Squires, Carolyn
Stewart-Peregoy, Sharon
Wanzenried, David
Williams, Carol
