'Made In Montana' May Trigger A Federal Lawsuit
February 25, 2009
by Brian McCombie
Under a proposed law currently being debated in the Montana Legislature, "firearms,
weapons components and ammunition made in Montana and kept in Montana would be
exempt from federal regulation, potentially releasing some Montanans from national
gun registration and licensing laws," The Missoulian reported. "The legislation
could also free gun purchasers in the state from background checks."
"Firearms are inextricably linked to the history and culture of Montana, and I'd
like to support that," said Republican Rep. Joel Boniek, the bill's sponsor. "But I
want to point out that the issue here is not about firearms. It's about state
rights."
Those rights could very well be reviewed in a federal court of law, as the "Made in
Montana" bill was "intentionally drafted to draw the feds into court," over the
issues of mandatory gun background checks and various licensing requirements. At the
same time, argued the bill's proponents, the measure could jump-start a thriving
firearms industry in the Big Sky State.
The Montana House has passed the bill, and the Senate is expected to do likewise.
