SB 122 Smokeless Powder and Primer Manufacture in Montana

Montana Shooting Sports Association ^ | 1/21/15 | Gary Marbut

[taxcontrol]

There is a serious threat to our right to bear arms because of narrow, monolithic and federally-controlled manufacture of essential ammunition components, smokeless powder (propellant), primers and cartridge brass. For example, there are only two manufacturers of smokeless powder in the U.S., one plant owned by defense contractor General Dynamics and another owned by defense contractor Alliant Systems (ATK). All other smokeless powder used in the U.S. is imported, and subject to immediate and arbitrary import restrictions. And, General Dynamics and Alliant Systems are subject to a standard condition of military contracts that 100% of their production may be commandeered for military use at any time. Without ammunition, our firearms and our right to bear ammunition are worth nothing. We propose certain incentives to encourage small-scale production of ammunition components in Montana. That model includes offering liability protection to future producers, providing that such producers qualify for existing state assistance with financing, and will include a 20-year tax amnesty from start of business, which would give up zero current tax income to the state but would provide jobs for Montana.

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UPDATE

Dear MSSA Friends, MSSA’s flagship bill this session, to encourage the manufacture of ammunition components in Montana, is scheduled to have its public hearing before the Senate Taxation Committee on Wednesday, 1/21.The problem is that our RKBA is entirely exposed to a very narrow production chain for essential ammunition components, especially smokeless powder and primers. SB 122 would encourage manufacture of those products in Montana by offering liability protection, access to existing economic development programs, and a 20-year tax amnesty. The tax amnesty is essential to overcome the scale issues in manufacturing these products, scale issues that currently prevent entry into the marketplace by small producers. http://www.mtssa.org/?page_id=172

[taxcontrol]

I find this an interesting idea, though I don't know the viability of a small business / non government reloading supply. Perhaps other states will consider something similar?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

General Dynamics is owned by a hard core Democrat family.

[rockrr]

Good on them! They face an uphill battle but an honorable one.

[grobdriver]

Ho boy - another ammo run!

Off to Walmart...

[Redbob]

Great idea!
I just sent a letter to my state rep here in Texas requesting he do the same.
Congress is in session (briefly...) in Texas this year.

[Texas Fossil]

It is clear that Gov. Perry courted the Firearms manufacturing sector very strongly. I see nothing in the change in state leadership that would diminish that effort.

I reload and saw clearly how difficult buying components was during the past 3 years. The toughest component for me was brass. I was able to purchase primers and powder.

Bullets were also very difficult to find. Those are generally produced by smaller companies. And if you are sufficiently motivated it is possible to swage your own bullets. Or cast them, more common for hand guns.

[JimRed]

Opportunity knocks! Make your own, sell the surplus!