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.
