Montana: Sound Suppressor Legislation Scheduled Next Week for Hearing, Pro-Gun Legislation Headed to Governors Desk

Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to support SB 295

On Monday, March 23, at 9:00 a.m., the House Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 295 in Room 137.  Having received overwhelming support in the Senate, SB 295, sponsored by state Senator Mark Blasdel (R-4), would remove the prohibition on the legal use of suppressors while hunting.  Currently, hunters and sportsmen in 35 states across the country are able to use these sound suppressing devices for the taking of wildlife.

As previously reported, there are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms. These benefits include the decrease of noise complaints frequently used as an excuse to close hunting lands throughout the country, reduction of recoil and muzzle rise resulting in increased accuracy of hunters, more accurate shooting in the field and the reduction in muzzle report to hearing-safe levels, limiting the risk that the hunter or anyone with the hunter will suffer permanent hearing loss if they fail to use hearing protection.  Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY and urge them to support Senate Bill 295.  Contact information for Committee members is provided at the bottom.

Last week, the Montana Senate passed House Bill 298 on third reading by a 28 to 21 vote.  Sponsored by state Representative Bill Harris (R-29), HB 298 expands Montanan’s freedom to legally carry a concealed firearm without a Montana concealed weapons permit (CWP) by harmonizing the carry laws present in city limits with those outside city limits.  Currently outside the city limits, residents are not required to obtain a concealed weapons permit in order to carry a concealed firearm.  This permitless carry legislation would bring uniformity across the state and give Montanans the freedom to choose the best method of carrying for them, based on their attire, gender and/or physical attributes. 

Also last week, the Montana Senate passed House Bill 203 on third reading by a 27 to 22 vote.  Sponsored by state Representative Art Wittich (R-68), HB 203 would prohibit the use of any public funds, personnel, or property to enforce any federal law or regulation that seeks to ban the ownership or possession of firearms or magazines. 

House Bill 298 and House Bill 203 are being prepared to be sent to Governor Steve Bullock’s desk for his consideration.  Please contact Governor Bullock at (406) 444-3111 or by email and politely urge him to sign into law House Bill 298 and House Bill 203.

House Judiciary Committee:

Representative Jerry Bennett (R-1), Chair
(406) 293-7012

Representative Alan Doane (R-36), Vice-Chair
(406) 583-7546
[email protected]

Representative Virginia Court (D-50), Vice-Chair
(406) 259-5099
[email protected]

Representative Seth Berglee (R-58)
(406) 690-9329
[email protected]

Representative Jenny Eck (D-79)
(406) 459-1082
[email protected]

Representative Clayton Fiscus (R-43)
(406) 860-6400
[email protected]

Representative Stephanie Hess (R-28)
[email protected]

Representative Ellie Boldman Hill (D-90)
(406) 218-9608
[email protected]

Representative Kathy Kelker (D-47)
(406) 652-6716
[email protected]

Representative Sarah Laszloffy (R-53)
(406) 530-7013
[email protected]

Representative Margie MacDonald (D-51)
(406) 652-6625
[email protected]