Montana has “permitless” or Constitutional Carry for areas outside of city and town limits, which accounts for more than 99 percent of the state. Bills to extend Constitutional Carry to the entire state have passed the legislature three times.
The first time was in 2011. Democrat Governor Brian Schweitzer vetoed HB 271, and the legislature was not able to override the veto. The second time was in 2015. Democrat Governor Steve Bullock vetoed HB 298. The third time happened on February 15, 2017. The Senate passed HB 262, which will now go to Governor Bullock again.
HB 262 passed the house 60 to 39. There are 59 Republicans and 41 Democrats in the House. The bill passed the Senate 31 to 18. There are 32 Republicans, 17 Democrats, and 1 vacancy in the Senate.
Governor Bullock was re-elected with 50.25 percent of the vote in 2016. The Republican candidate received 46.35 percent and the Libertarian candidate 3.4% of the vote. Here is Governor Bullock’s statement on Second Amendment Rights:
As a lifelong gun owner and as Montana’s former top cop, Steve Bullock is a staunch supporter of our Second Amendment rights and fights for the right of all law-abiding citizens to own and responsibly use guns.
The absence of any mention of self defense, or the right to *bear* arms are obvious “tells” that this politician is not serious about protecting the right to keep and bear arms.
In Montana, a Governor has 10 days to sign a bill, veto it, recommend amendments, or take no action. If he does not veto the bill, it becomes law in 10 days. If the Governor vetoes the bill, the legislature may override the veto with a two thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature. A veto seems likely. It does not appear that there are sufficient votes to override a veto.
©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.