Montana: Missoula City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Unnecessary Background Check Ordinance

On Monday, September 26, the Missoula City Council is scheduled to consider an ordinance that violates Montana’s state preemption law, which prohibits local governments and municipalities from passing their own gun control laws that create a patchwork of complex and confusing gun laws throughout the state.  The ordinance would require background checks on all gun sales and transfers with limited exceptions.

This proposal would only create a burden for law-abiding citizens and may turn them into criminals if they unknowingly violate the ordinance.  If passed, it could create a fine of up to $500 and a misdemeanor conviction leading up to six months of jail time.  This measure would do nothing to stop crime, as criminals ignore existing laws and would continue to obtain firearms illegally by stealing them or obtaining them on the black market.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing this proposal and simply sees this as the first step toward firearm registration. It is important that NRA members and Second Amendment supporters from all across Montana take action by contacting the Missoula City Council to prevent Bloomberg from further spreading his New York-style anti-gun agenda in Big Sky Country.

Not only is this ordinance an affront to law-abiding gun owners, but it would also be in violation of Montana’s state preemption statute.  In pursuing this, the Missoula City Council is disregarding state law, which prohibits local governments from enacting such ordinances.

If you are able, please attend the Missoula City Council hearing and voice your opposition to this ordinance.  The meeting will be held at 7:00pm at the below location.  Please arrive early.

City Council Chambers
140 West Pine Street
Missoula, MT

Also, please contact City Council members and voice your opposition to this ordinance.  Click the above “Take Action” button to communicate your concerns to the entire Council and be added to the public record in opposition to the proposed gun control ordinance.

Missoula City Council:

Ward 1
Bryan Von Lossberg
(406) 285-1857

Heidi West
(405) 747-9158

Ward 2
Harlan Wells
(406) 544-7240

Jordan Hess
(406) 552-4050

Ward 3
Emily Bentley
(406) 546-6552

Gwen Jones
(406) 549-3295

Ward 4
John DiBari
(406) 274-7337

Jon Wilkins
(406) 543-7952

Ward 5
Annelise Hedahl
(406) 546-6979

Julie Armstrong
(406) 426-1530

Ward 6
Michelle Cares
(406) 215-1905

Marilyn Marler
(406) 544-7189