I'd missed entirely that this was up for consideration, and I'll want to update my map immediately, when it becomes law.
Posted on 04/28/2011 9:06:59 PM PDT by marktwain
MSSA’s permitless carry bill, HB 271, has passed the Senate with a vote of 30-20. More properly said, the Senate has concurred in the conference committee report on HB 271 by a vote of 30-20.
The conference committee version only affects concealed carry INSIDE the city limits of an incorporated city or town. Concealed carry outside city limits (99.4% of Montana) has not required a permit since 1991. Open carry inside city limits has never required a permit in Montana.
The CC version of HB 271 allows a person to carry concealed (“wholly or partially covered by clothing or wearing apparel”) inside city limits if that person is eligible to possess a handgun under state or federal law.
The Senate must still approve adoption of the CC report with a Third Reading vote, either later today or tomorrow (last day of the session). I expect the vote for HB 271 to hold for Third Reading, but there are no guarantees. You can bet opponents will be trying for a Hail Mary effort to turn five Senate votes against HB 271 on Third Reading.
Once the Senate approves HB 271 on Third Reading, it will go to the Governor for his signature. Governor Schweitzer has opined before that he likes the concept, but who knows if that attitude continues.
In the 30-20 vote, all Republicans voted for HB 271, plus Democrats Gillan and Hamlett. If you can send messages to the Senate, you should thank those senators who supported HB 271 and urge them to continue their support on Third Reading.
Gary Marbut, president Montana Shooting Sports Association http://www.mtssa.org author, Gun Laws of Montana http://www.mtpublish.com
I should really move there
It looks like crime in Montana is about to go down to nada.
FYI
I'd missed entirely that this was up for consideration, and I'll want to update my map immediately, when it becomes law.
When are you guys going to get rid of your pinhead governor?
That's the way to "go green"!
Like your map very much, though it is a little too quick for me.
fantastic!
Good map. It shows a nice steady improvement.
Great news!
Vermont is green?! WTF!
Now every town in Montana will be like Dodge City. You mark my words. Chaos will reign in the streets./sarc
Good for Montana.
“Vermont is green?! WTF!”
Vermont has not required a permit for concealed carry since the early 20th century. Go figure.
Very impressive map!
Question - Would this apply only residents of Montana or to anyone who happens to be in Montana?
Vermont has been the aberration since before the CCW movement started. In Vermont, it has been the law for seemingly forever that you could go into a gun store, buy a piece, strap it on under your coat and walk down the street unmolested by the cops.
NB that when liberals were wetting their shorts about Florida’s gun law in, what was it, 1987, they omitted to mention the lack of shoot-em-ups in Vermont. Probably because for most liberals, all they know about Vermont are the autumn colors and the number of red barns with cows out front.
I predict that the hard-core looney left states like California, NY, NJ, IL and possibly MD will hold out forever, no matter how high the pile of evidence against their position becomes. It is part of liberal canon law that guns cause crime, and they will not hear anything else.
That’s because you can walk around naked up there, therefore it ain’t concealed...
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