Opinion
Montana – -(AmmoLand.com)- Friday, 5/3/19, Governor Bullock vetoed HB 325, the bill to prevent a patchwork of gun control laws across the state. The bill’s identical companion, HB 357 will cause the same thing to go to a vote of the people at the next General Election, in November of 2020.
It’s no surprise that the Governor was highly disingenuous in his veto message giving his reason for this veto. For example, he says HB 325 would allow felons to bring guns into schools, even though it’s illegal under federal law for felons to possess guns. (Yes, Bullock is reputed to have graduated from law school.)
So, Bullock is effectively arguing that a felon who would disregard committing another federal felony and disregard a state law prohibiting guns in schools (45-8-361), would be deterred from bringing guns into schools if only local governments are allowed to enact an ordinance for a local misdemeanor prohibiting that conduct. Right, as if felons spend their time first reading and then complying with local ordinances. Right, nonsensical.
There is much else nonsensical about the Governor’s veto message. In a separate effort, I’ll dissect and correct it in detail.
However, this veto message clearly telegraphs the exact lies opponents will make about HB 357 in the run-up to the 2020 election. Opponents will say, in various ways, that HB 357 will cause the end-of-life-on-Earth-as-we-know-it if voters vote for HB 357. They will lie repeatedly.
You and I will be fully responsible for explaining HB 357 to uninformed voters. Yes, that will be your job and the job of every one of your pro-gun friends. This will happen in a thousand one-on-one conversations you will have with other Montana voters between now and November of 2020. Anti-gun New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg and his minions will probably spend a lot of money in Montana propagating the same lies about HB 357 that Bullock used in his veto message of HB 325. Only you will be able to convince your friends and neighbors to vote for HB 357. I can’t do that for you, nor can MSSA, the NRA, or anyone else. Only you. Get ready.
So, I recommend that you begin to prepare by reading Bullock’s veto message below:
Montana Governor Bullock’s HB 325 Veto Excuses:
Again, I will prepare a detailed rebuttal of this veto message for your use, and get that to you soon.
Best wishes,
Gary Marbut, President
Montana Shooting Sports Association
https://www.mtssa.org
Author, Gun Laws of Montana
www.mtpublish.com
About Montana Shooting Sports Association:
Montana Shooting Sports Association ( MSSA ) is the primary political advocate for Montana gun owners.
Visit: www.mtssa.org.