Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Big Lie Country: Anti-gun Interests Work to Deceive Montanans

Monday, October 12, 2020

Big Lie Country: Anti-gun Interests Work to Deceive Montanans

Gun control advocates know that Montanans cherish their right to keep and bear arms. Thats why this election season, out-of-state anti-gun interests are working to deceive rather than win over Montana voters. Case in point is the deceptive messaging of the gun control supporters opposed to pro-Second Amendment ballot measure LR-130. 

Reflecting the states overwhelming respect for the Second Amendment, Montanas gun laws generally respect gun ownership and the Right-to-Carry for self-defense. However, a deficiency in the states firearms preemption statute has permitted politically-motivated local governments to undermine the Second Amendment by creating a confusing patchwork of laws that places well-meaning gun owners in legal peril simply for exercising their Right-to-Carry.

At present, Montana Code Annotated Section 7-1-111 restricts a local government unit with self-government powers from exercising any power that applies to or affects the right to keep or bear arms.” However, the statute provides an exemption to this prohibition which states, a local government has the power to regulate the carrying of concealed weapons.” Therefore, a local government entity with self-governing powers has some authority to restrict the Right-to-Carry.

Moreover, Section 45-8-351(2)(a) empowers a county, city, town, consolidated local government” to restrict the Right-to-Carry at a public assembly, publicly owned building, park under its jurisdiction, or school.” 

LR-130 would amend Section 7-11-111 to remove a local government unit with self-government powersauthority to restrict the Right-to-Carry. The measure would also curtail the power of a county, city, town, or consolidated local government to create gun-free zones. Under the proposed legislation, a locality could still restrict the open carry and unpermitted concealed carry at a publicly owned and occupied building,” such as a school. Another statute, Section 45-8-361, also prohibits firearms in school buildings. LR-130 would create a predictable framework that would allow Montanans to exercise their Right-to-Carry with confidence while moving about the state.

These changes are vital to Montana gun owners. Those wondering how anti-gun localities might abuse their authority to restrict the Right-to-Carry need only look at recent events in Virginia. Following a change that weakened Virginias firearms preemption statute, anti-gun cities and localities raced to enact a slew of new incomprehensible gun-free zones. This included unforeseeable roving gun free zones that extend to public sidewalks and streets.

Such local restrictions are enacted out of political prejudice rather than concern for public safety. A survey of the available research on gun-free zones conducted by the RAND Corporation found no qualifying studies showing that gun-free zones decreased” violent crime. 

The political committee that out-of-state anti-gun interests have used to oppose LR-130 is named Vote No on LR-130. The front group has been sending out the following deceptive mailers.

Notice that the mailers dont explain the purpose or contours of LR-130. The propaganda also mischaracterizes LR-130 as confusing” and poorly written.” In truth, the measure merely makes minor alterations to two existing statutes that are limited to one sentence of Section 7-1-111 and one sentence in Section 45-8-351.

Worse, are the mailers deceptive appeals to protect our freedoms” and Montanas current respect for the Second Amendment. In actuality, LR-130 would help to better protect Montanansfreedom and their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The deceptive language of the Vote No on LR-130 committees propaganda is even more appalling considering the source. Despite promoting messaging like Why Change Gun Laws That Work?,” the political committee is backed by out-of-state anti-gun interests that are devoted to enacting the most egregious forms of gun control.

Vote No on LR-130s political committee finance reports show that the campaign has received continued support from New York City billionaire Michael Bloombergs Everytown for Gun Safety gun control group. Among the litany of gun controls the group pushes are a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms like the AR-15, a ban on standard capacity magazines, waiting periods, and gun confiscation order legislation that empowers the state to seize a persons firearms without due process.

The political committee finance reports also show that Vote No on LR-130 is being supported by Washington states Alliance for Gun Responsibility (AGR), formerly Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility. AGR was responsible for Washingtons Initiative 594, which criminalized the private transfer of firearms in the Evergreen State. An actually confusing” and poorly written” measure, the subsequent law went so far as to restrict how students could be introduced to the basics of safe firearms handling during hunter education courses. The group also pushed Initiative 1639, which heavily restricted the acquisition and possession of semi-automatic rifles, including a requirement that these firearms be registered with the government.

Much like Everytown, AGR and its political activities are bankrolled by wealthy anti-gun elites. For I-594, billionaire venture capitalist Nicolas Hanauer gave more than $1.3 million. Microsoft founder Bill Gates and wife Melinda provided $525,000 each, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and wife Connie gave $500,000 and $580,000 respectively, and company co-founder Paul Allen gave $500,000. For AGRs I-1639, Microsofts Paul Allen gave 1.2 million, Nicolas and Leslie Hanauer gave $1.4 million, the Ballmers gave more than $1.1 million.

NRA members and gun rights activists should work to share with their family, friends, neighbors, and other freedom-minded individuals the truth about how LR-130 will protect gun owners from local government overreach. Gun rights supporters should also work to expose the deceptive practices of the Vote No on LR-130 campaign and the out-of-state interests backing their anti-Second Amendment effort.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana Ballot Initiatives
TRENDING NOW
Last Chance for Gun Owners to Ask U.S. House to Amend the Reconciliation Bill

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Last Chance for Gun Owners to Ask U.S. House to Amend the Reconciliation Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has another chance to amend the current Reconciliation Bill making its way through Congress. The Reconciliation Bill would currently rescind the unconstitutional tax on suppressors, but it doesn’t remove them ...

Clueless Anti-gun Democrats Dig Themselves an Ever Deeper Hole

Monday, May 19, 2025

Clueless Anti-gun Democrats Dig Themselves an Ever Deeper Hole

Anyone reading the firearm-related news these days is reminded that anti-gun Democrats appear oblivious to the blunt message sent by millions of American voters last fall. Despite Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris blowing through a mountain ...

Trump DOJ Settles Lawsuits Involving Forced Reset Triggers

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Trump DOJ Settles Lawsuits Involving Forced Reset Triggers

On Friday, May 16, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the settlement of several lawsuits arising from the Biden-Harris regime’s attempt to reclassify forced reset triggers (FRTs) as “machineguns.” DOJ’s announcement cited President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting ...

Another Court Determines Magazines Aren’t “Arms” in Upholding Arbitrary Limits

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Another Court Determines Magazines Aren’t “Arms” in Upholding Arbitrary Limits

Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on magazines that hold over ten rounds, overturning a lower court order that had deemed it unconstitutional. The 7-2 decision in State v. Gator’s Custom ...

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

News  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

As the Colorado legislative session closes, its 2025 edition will long be remembered and lamented as a historic assault on the Second Amendment.

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

News  

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

Early this morning, The House Committee on Ways & Means, led by Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO-08) finished a markup of their section of the Reconciliation Bill. Included in this legislation was a provision which would ...

Arizona: Governor Hobbs Vetoes Three Pro-Gun Bills Passed by Legislature

Friday, May 16, 2025

Arizona: Governor Hobbs Vetoes Three Pro-Gun Bills Passed by Legislature

Despite strong support from the Arizona Legislature, Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed Senate Bills 1014, 1020, and 1143, each of which sought to protect and enhance the rights of law-abiding gun owners in the Grand Canyon ...

Illinois: Legislation to Shut Down Gun Manufacturers in Committee Tomorrow

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Illinois: Legislation to Shut Down Gun Manufacturers in Committee Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee will hear House Bill 3320, a dangerous proposal that could effectively shut down firearm manufacturing in Illinois. Please use the Take Action button below to contact committee members and ...

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

Is Hogg’s time up at the DNC?

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Is Hogg’s time up at the DNC?

The last time we mentioned David Hogg, he had been selected to be a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and wasted no time making some (many?) regret that choice. Why? Because one of ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.