Mont. gun rights measures likely to pass declines significantly; lawmaker calls it a failure

[jpak]

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/341ac73b9cad4c898f3c9c77a54494ae/MT-XGR--Gun-Rights/

The number of gun rights bills likely to clear the Montana Legislature appears to be dwindling significantly, as the session enters its final days, dealing a blow to gun-rights advocates who seem unable to capitalize on having a (edit: moran) Republican majority.

With the GOP holding one of the largest legislative majorities in years, this session presented a key opening for conservative lawmakers that often favor more lenient gun measures.

But the gun-rights supporters seem to be unable to seize the moment. Most of the measures have been stopped.

The representative that carried a large number of the gun bills before the Legislature, Rep. Krayton Kerns, R (edit: moran)-Laurel, described the session as a failure for the cause, now that most of the measures are likely dead.

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:D

[High_On_Love]

1. Suck it, conservatives

:)

[gejohnston]

2. Major set back?

Minor it think. I'm not big on allowing off duty police to drink in bars while armed. I fail to see the issue with hunters using silencers. Hunters and target shooters in France and Finland, where they are unregulated, often use silencers. Some areas of Finland mandate their use because of noise pollution concerns.

[Logical]

3. Of course, you forgot to mention this one BIG WIN......

However, one of the principle measures for gun-rights advocates appears to be set to pass.

Lawmakers have shown support for House Bill 271, carried by Kerns, to allow people to carry a concealed weapon without applying for a permit.

The bill would allow Montanans who complete a firearms training course to carry a concealed gun without obtaining an official license.

Kerns described the measure as a "great assertion" for constitutional gun rights, allowing more people to protect themselves with a weapon.