Montana stands up for both the 2nd and 10th Amendments.......now if every state would pass similar legislation they could tell the federal gubmint where to stick it.Dear MSSA Friends, GOOD NEWS! Governor Schweitzer signed HB 246, MSSA's Montana-made guns bill, today. HB 246 declares that any guns and ammunition made and retained in Montana are not subject to ANY federal regulation under the authority of Congress to regulate commerce "among the states."
HB 246 will become effective on October 1, 2009. MSSA is beginning now to plan our legal strategy for vetting the legal principles involved. Soon after October 1st, MSSA will determine if it is necessary to file a lawsuit in federal court to prove the principles established in HB 246. If we do need to file this lawsuit (probably will), MSSA will need to do some serious fundraising to defray the expenses involved.
Meanwhile, we firmly recommend that no Montanans begin making the proposed Montana-made guns until we are able to vet the legal principles. We do not want any Montanan to become subject to possible federal criminal charges until the legal issues associated with HB 246 are resolved.
We are ready now to accept any donations for this project. Remember, MSSA is not a tax-exempt entity - we've never sought that status because of the political limitations on tax exempt organizations. So, any donation you may care to make for this effort is NOT tax deductible. If you care to make a donation to MSSA for this purpose, you can make a check payable to MSSA and mail it to MSSA at P.O. Box 4924. Missoula, Montana 59808. In the memo portion of your check, write "Montana-made guns."
Thanks! Our hearty thanks go out to valiant HB 246 sponsor Rep. Joel Boniek (R-Livingston). Joel is a real hero for having carried this bill and having done it so well. This result is especially complimentary to Joel because he is a freshman legislator. He had a steep learning curve going into this session with no prior legislative experience.
We also thank those many Montana legislators who supported HB 246 during the legislative process, and we thank Governor Schweitzer both for demonstrating the right Montana attitude by signing HB 246, and for doing what he said he'd do on his 2008 MSSA Candidate Questionnaire.
Finally, thanks to ALL of you for having supported HB 246 with messages to legislators. We couldn't have done it without you!!!
Best wishes,
Gary Marbut, presidentMontana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.orgauthor, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
