Montana Guns and Ammo Bill Signed into Law

The bill has passed, and has been signed into law!

Fwd: FLASH - Good News - Gov signs HB 246
From: Gary Marbut-MSSA <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]

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, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
[link to www.mtssa.org]
author, Gun Laws of Montana
[link to www.mtpublish.com]