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[Basil Fishbone]

Fwd: Dear MSSA Friends,

Things are really starting to rock and roll in the Legislature now.  We have more bills introduced and getting bill numbers, and a growing schedule of when bills will have the ever-important public hearings.  Here's the lineup, by order of date:

January 18, Tuesday, House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 152
HB 148, Allow motorized access to public lands for game retrieval
HB 159, Restrict authority of FWP to regulate ammo or firearms for hunting

January 20, Thursday, House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 15
HB 177, Provide for monitoring of wolf diseases

January 21, Senate Judiciary Committee, 9 AM, Capitol Room 303
SB 114, Sheriffs First
Note:  Constitutional Rights Protection, SB 150, has been reassigned to Local Government Committee at the sponsor's request - hearing date to be announced.

February 2 and 3, Wednesday and Thursday, House Judiciary Committee, 8 AM, Capitol Room 137
House Judiciary will hear a bundle of "gun bills" on February 2nd and 3rd, including probably:
HB 174, Repeal prohibition on firearm sound reduction devices in field
HB 201, Allow employees to keep firearms in vehicle in workplace parking lot
HB 271, "Harmonizing" concealed weapon permits
LC0706, Award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense
LC0703, Limit police firearm seizure
LC0700, Revise carrying concealed weapon in prohibited places
We don't know yet which bills will be on Wednesday and which on Thursday.

February 4, Friday, House State Administration, 8 AM, Capitol Room 455
LC0933, Clarify and specify role of Home Guard

We still have some other bills to get introduced and scheduled for hearing, including Senator Balyeat's wolf control bill, LC0459 .  Stay tuned.  These others will be out soon.

Meanwhile, get ready to weigh in on these bills as they come up for public hearing.  That means communicating with members of the committee hearing the bill, either by showing up on the hearing date and speaking to the committee, or by sending phone (444-4800) or electronic messages to committee members.

Lists of committee members are pasted below for your convenience.

Best wishes,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
===========================
House Judiciary Committee
Meets Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., Room 137
Chair: Ken Peterson (R-Billings)
Vice Chair: Krayton Kerns (R-Laurel)
Vice Chair: Diane Sands (D-Missoula)
Liz Bangerter (R-Helena)
Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings)
Kristin Hansen (R-Havre)
Bill Harris (R-Mosby)
Ellie Boldman Hill (D-Missoula)
David Howard (R-Park City)
Cleve Loney (R-Great Falls)
Margaret MacDonald (D-Billings)
Mike Menahan (D-Helena)
Michael More (R-Gallatin Gateway)
Jesse O'Hara (R-Great Falls)
Carolyn Pease-Lopez (D-Billings)
Joe Read (R-Ronan)
Keith Regier (R-Kalispell)
Dan Skattum (R-Livingston)
Bob Wagner (R-Harrison)
Wendy Warburton (R-Havre)

House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee
Meets Tuesday, Thursday, 3 p.m., Room 152
Chair: Ted Washburn (R-Bozeman)
Vice Chair: Jeffrey Welborn (R-Dillon)
Vice Chair: Mike Phillips (D-Bozeman)
Carlie Boland (D-Great Falls)
Pat Connell (R-Darby)
Virginia Court (D-Billings)
Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings)
Kelly Flynn (R-Townsend)
Bill Harris (R-Mosby)
Douglas Kary (R-Billings)
Dan Kennedy (R-Laurel)
Austin Knudsen (R-Culbertson)
Cleve Loney (R-Great Falls)
Mike Miller (R-Helmville)
Jesse O'Hara (R-Great Falls)
Ken Peterson (R-Billings)
Jean Price (D-Great Falls)
Dan Skattum (R-Livingston)
Franke Wilmer (D-Bozeman)
Max Yates (R-Butte)

House State Administration Committee
Meets Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., Room 455
Chair: Pat Ingraham (R-Thompson Falls)
Vice Chair: Gerald Bennett (R-Libby)
Vice Chair: Franke Wilmer (D-Bozeman)
Bryce Bennett (D-Missoula)
Joanne Blyton (R-Joliet)
Pat Connell (R-Darby)
Betsy Hands (D-Missoula)
Gordon Hendrick (R-Superior)
Douglas Kary (R-Billings)
Dan Kennedy (R-Laurel)
James Knox (R-Billings)
Gary MacLaren (R-Victor)
Tom McGillvray (R-Billings)
Jean Price (D-Great Falls)
Derek Skees (R-Whitefish)
Frank Smith (D-Poplar)
Kathy Swanson (D-Anaconda)
Ted Washburn (R-Bozeman)

Senate Judiciary Committee
Meets Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., Room 303
Chair: Jim Shockley (R-Victor)
Vice Chair: Terry Murphy (R-Cardwell)
Shannon Augare (D-Browning)
Anders Blewett (D-Great Falls)
Greg Hinkle (R-Thompson Falls)
Rowlie Hutton (R-Havre)
Larry Jent (D-Bozeman)
Cliff Larsen (D-Missoula)
Lynda Moss (D-Billings)
Jim Peterson (R-Buffalo)
Chas Vincent (R-Libby)

[freewoman]

Robyn Driscoll shows up too often on these lists for my taste; the people of Billings must have been asleep to reelect her.  Thanks, Basil, for posting these.

[Basil Fishbone]

Fwd: Dear MSSA Friends,

If you can come to Helena...

MSSA has public hearings scheduled for five of its bills this week, two on Tuesday, one on Thursday, and two on Friday, including our flagship Sheriffs First bill, SB 114.  I'll paste the list of hearings for this week below.

If you can come speak in favor of our bills, here are some very helpful things to know:

1.  Come early!  Finding parking in the Capitol complex can be a bear.  There are too few parking places, most of which are taken up by state government employees.  You may have to walk two or three blocks to the Capitol.  If you have some spare time, it will also help you find the right committee hearing room, get signed in and get a seat.

2. Sign in.  If you will speak on a bill, fill out the sign-in sheet by the door.

3.  Keep it brief!!!  Keep your testimony as short as you possibly can.  DO NOT read anything to committee members.  If you have written material, deliver it to the committee secretary and she will get it copied later and distributed to committee members.  Committee members hate it when you read to them from prepared testimony, and reading will count against the position you take.  For most who testify, I recommend something like this.  Go to the microphone when it's your turn and say:  "Good morning members of the committee.  My name is Joe Doaks, spelled D-O-A-K-S.  I am from Two Dot, Montana.  I represent myself and the Two Dot Sportsman's Club of 95 members (if you do, or you can skip this sentence).  I agree with what other proponents have said about this bill.  In addition, I want to say (make a 20-second point).  Please support this bill.  Thank you very much for your support."  And step away from the microphone.  Max time at the microphone, 120 seconds (two minutes); better 90 seconds or even 60 seconds.

Proponents will go first, then opponents, then any "informational witnesses."  Then there may be questions from committee members of people who have testified on the bill, so stick around in case a legislator has a question for you.

Remember, these legislators are not terribly special.  They are Montana citizens, like you, who have agreed to take significant time out of their lives to go to Helena and do the peoples' business.  They are mostly pretty nice people, even some who disagree with you.  Be nice to them.  It is possible that you might get hostile questions from committee members, but unlikely.

Hope to see you there.

Best wishes,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
============================
Hearings schedule on MSSA bills this week:

January 18, Tuesday
House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 152
HB 148, Allow motorized access to public lands for game retrieval
HB 159, Restrict authority of FWP to regulate ammo or firearms for hunting

January 20, Thursday
House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 15
HB 177, Provide for monitoring of wolf diseases

January 21, Friday
Senate Judiciary Committee, 9 AM, Capitol Room 303
SB 114, Sheriffs First
Senate Local Government committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 405
SB 150, Constitutional Rights Protection

[Basil Fishbone]

We have public hearings on two MSSA bills on Thursday, and two more on Friday.

Thursday
House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 152
HB 177, Provide for monitoring of wolf diseases
Senate Fish and Game Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 422
SB 136, Anyone born in Montana may hunt for the cost of a resident

Because the two Thursday bills are in two different rooms, but both scheduled for 3 PM, I've asked bill sponsors to try to arrange for one bill to be first on the schedule, and one to be last on the schedule.  I don't know if this will work out or not.  Of the two, HB 177 more needs public support.



Friday
Senate Judiciary Committee, 9 AM, Capitol Room 303
SB 114, Sheriffs First
Senate Local Government Committee, 3 PM, Capitol Room 405
SB 150, Constitutional Rights Protection

Remember, Sheriffs first is MSSA's flagship bill for the 2011 session.

Remember, if you can't come to Helena for these, PLEASE send in messages of support for these bills.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com



__._,_.___

[Basil Fishbone]

Marbut: More bills introduced- remember Feb 2 & 3


Dear MSSA Friends,

Three more MSSA bills have been introduced and now have bill numbers:

HB 201, Allow employees to keep firearms in vehicle in workplace parking lot  (Note: Don't be surprised when this bill gets swapped out for a similar one that does a bit more.  See LC0932)

HB 271, Harmonizing concealed weapon permit laws.  Since 1991, a CWP has not been required to carry concealed in 99.4% of Montana, outside cities and towns.  HB 271 will make the remaining 6/10ths of 1% like the rest.  It changes the law so that anyone eligible to apply for a permit under current law can carry without a permit.  So it applies to Montana resident non-criminal adults who've taken a firearms safety class.

HB 278, to clarify and specify the role of the Montana Home Guard.  HB 278 will refurbish the laws relating to mission and formation of Home Guard units; organizing volunteers in Montana.

Coming soon, introduction of bills for:
Wolf control
Cure school system abuse of guns in schools rules
Award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense
Encouraging production of smokeless powder, primers and brass in Montana
Clarify when police may seize firearms and when firearms must be returned

HB 159, to prohibit FWP from regulating firearms or ammunition (lead ban) was amended extensively by the House FWP Committee and approved 12-8.  The amendments did NO serious damage to the bill.

MSSA has asked the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to schedule two days of public hearings on gun-related bills on next Wednesday and Thursday, February 2 and 3rd.  We've bundled these bills to make it more economical for you to come to Helena to speak in favor of our bills.

Last item, we still need to get two of three senators to support Sheriffs First, SB 114, to get it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Those three are Jim Shockley, Jim Peterson, or Cliff Larsen.  Keep up the messages to those three.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

[hangman]

Sounds like exciting times up there. good luck.

[Basil Fishbone]

Fwd: Marbut: Coming up in the legislature this week - IMPORTANT


Dear MSSA Friends,

This will be a BIG WEEK coming up for the MSSA Legislative Agenda before the Legislature.

We asked the House Judiciary Committee to bundle a bunch of our bills on two days, Wednesday and Thursday, plus our Home Guard bill will have a public hearing on Friday.  The House Judiciary Committee meets from 8 AM to Noon in Capitol room 137.  Here's what we know of the bills lineup:

Wednesday, 2/2, House Judiciary Committee, 8AM, Rm 137
HB 174, (Rep. Kerns) Repeal prohibition on firearm sound reduction devices in field
HB 201, (Rep. Warburton) Guns in vehicles in parking lots (to be dropped in favor of improved HB 368)
HB 368, (Rep. Warburton) Allow keeping firearm in parked vehicle or while on employer's business
HB 271, (Rep. Kerns) Persons eligible to apply for a CWP don't need one to carry (permitless carry)
HB 332, (Rep. Wagner) Restore the right of a fully informed jury

Thursday, 2/3, House Judiciary Committee,  8AM, Rm 137
HB 369, (Rep. Warburton) Revise fish and game enforcement laws
Also expected to be scheduled for Thursday - some with no bill numbers yet
HB355 , (Rep. O'Neil) Award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense
LC0700, (Rep. Kerns) Exempt peace officers and CWP-holders from "prohibited places"
LC0703, (Rep. Skees) Limit police firearms seizure
LC1948, (Rep. O'Neil) Revise laws regarding students and firearms in school

Friday, 2/3, House State Administration Committee, 8AM, Rm 455
HB 278, (Rep. Warburton) Clarify and specify role of Home Guard

Committee members are listed at:
http://www.leg.mt.gov/css/House/house-committees-2011.asp

Pasted below is a reprint of my recommendations for how you support these bills if you either CAN or CANNOT come to Helena.

Thanks loads for your support.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com
========================

IF YOU CAN COME TO HELENA

If you can come speak in favor of our bills, here are some very helpful things to know:

1.  Come early!  Finding parking in the Capitol complex can be a bear.  There are too few parking places, most of which are taken up by state government employees.  You may have to walk two or three blocks to the Capitol.  If you have some spare time, it will also help you find the right committee hearing room, get signed in and get a seat.

2. Sign in.  If you will speak on a bill, fill out the sign-in sheet by the door.

3.  Turn off cell phones.

4.  Keep it brief!!!  Keep your testimony as short as you possibly can.  DO NOT read anything to committee members.  If you have written material, deliver it to the committee secretary and she will get it copied later and distributed to committee members.  Committee members hate it when you read to them from prepared testimony, and reading will count against the position you take.  For most who testify, I recommend something like this.  Go to the microphone when it's your turn and say:  "Good morning members of the committee.  My name is Joe Doaks, spelled D-O-A-K-S.  I am from Two Dot, Montana.  I represent myself and the Two Dot Sportsman's Club of 95 members (if you do, or you can skip this sentence).  I agree with what other proponents have said about this bill.  In addition, I want to say (make a 20-second point).  Please support this bill.  Thank you very much for your support."  And step away from the microphone.  Max time at the microphone, 120 seconds (two minutes); better 90 seconds or even 60 seconds.

5.  Do not use strong language.  Do not pound on the podium to emphasize points.  Do not call anyone names.  It IS acceptable to say something like "I feel very strongly about this issue" or "It's difficult to express in usual language how strongly I feel about this issue."

The Sponsor will introduce the bill, then proponents will go first (Usually MSSA and the NRA will lead), then opponents, then any "informational witnesses."  Then there may be questions from committee members of people who have testified on the bill, so stick around in case a legislator has a question for you.

Remember, these legislators are not terribly special.  They are Montana citizens, just like you, who have agreed to take significant time out of their lives to go to Helena to do the peoples' business.  They are mostly pretty nice people, even some many who will disagree with you on issues.  Be nice to them.  BE POLITE.  It is possible that you might get hostile questions from committee members, but unlikely.

============================

IF YOU CANNOT COME TO HELENA

Right, I know.  Many of you have real, actual jobs.  Fine.

If you can't come to Helena, PLEASE send or phone in support to committee members for our bills.  I'll paste below the bills that have public hearings this week.  Please get in comment to appropriate committee members for each bill.

It is easy to phone in comment by calling 444-4800.  The message only needs to be, "Please support HB XX."  You can ask that the message be given to all members of a committee.

Or, you can use the Legislature's online message form at THIS LINK.  I think there is a way to do an entire committee here too.  Again, BE POLITE.

US Mail is too slow for this purpose.  Email is not the best because some legislators just don't check their email regularly, although many do.

[Basil Fishbone]

Fwd: Dear MSSA Friends,

I'm just back from four days in Helena, duking it out in the Legislature over MSSA bills.  I have good news to report, not-so-good news, and action to request.

On Wednesday there were public hearings before the House Judiciary Committee on three bills.

HB 271, to make it so a person does not need a concealed weapon permit to carry concealed inside the limits of a city or town IF the person is eligible to apply for a permit (of age, no criminal background, resident, gun safety training, etc.)  For shorthand we call HB 271 "permitless carry."  The Montana Human rights Network opposes all of our bills.  This one was also opposed by police and lawyers on the public payroll.  More about this bill later - action needed NOW.

HB 174, to repeal prohibition on firearm sound reduction devices in field.  FWP opposed this bill.  However, the House Judiciary Committee took "executive action" (also "exec" for short) on this bill and passed it out by 16-4. It will now go to the full House for Second Reading.  I'd expected HB 174 to be amended in Committee to continue the prohibition on hunting big game with suppressors, but according to the Legislature's Website, that didn't happen.  Apparently the Committee remembered the testimony of proponents that there is no "fair chase" issue about shooting a big game animal with a suppressed hunting rifle, both as compared to archery, and that because hunting rifle bullets are supersonic the bullet arrives before any report of an unsuppressed rifle anyway - the animal is already shot before hearing any report.

HB 368, to allow keeping firearm in parked vehicle or while on employer's business.  This is the "parking lot storage" bill.  Some employers make it a termination offense for an employee to have a firearm in their car in the employer's parking lot.  The most difficult argument to overcome for this bill is that concerning the employer's property right to control what happens on the employer's property.  The most successful counterargument is that the employee has a property right in his vehicle, and that this creates a bubble or enclave of property right for the employee within the employer's sphere of property right, PLUS the employee also has the RKBA to weigh in on his side.  The terms of this bill also apply to a private vehicle used by an employee for company business, such as an outside sales person, a pizza deliveryman or a home health nurse.  All of these people would be protected from firing for firearm in vehicle with HB 368.  Under the terms of the bill, firearms would have to be out of view inside a locked vehicle.

HB 368 was opposed by a LONG list of large employers or their organizations and associations, including the:  Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Retail Association, Montana Petroleum Association, NorthWestern Energy, Montana Coal Council, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe, Motor Carriers of Montana, Billings Clinic, Montana Education Association and Montana Federation of Teachers, Montana Hospital Association, Crossroads Correctional Facility (private prison in Shelby), Montana Bankers Association, Montana Credit Unions, Montana Automobile Dealers Association, and one lady who didn't make much sense from the Montana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  More about this bill later - action needed NOW.

On Thursday, we had three more bills before the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 355, to award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense.  If you defend yourself but are charged with multiple crimes by some zealous prosecutor hoping to force you to plead guilty rather than sell your house to pay lawyers, this bill says that for any charges which are dropped, dismissed or for which you are exonerated your court costs and attorney fees would get paid out of the prosecutor's budget.  This seems pretty simple to me.  Prosecutors should not charge people with crimes they're not pretty sure they can win.  However, the Montana County Attorneys Association testified at length about how this would be ruinous to the budgets of county attorneys (as if they don't ruin individuals financially).  I suspect that the Judiciary Committee will be rather sympathetic with the claims of the county attorneys.  I give this bill a 50-50 chance of getting out of committee.

HB 369, to revise fish and game enforcement laws.  The primary thrust of HB 369 is to require that FWP enforcement personnel must comply with all of the same requirement for arrest, search and seizure that deputy sheriffs, city police and the Montana Highway Patrol must comply with currently.  Of course, FWP testified strenuously against HB 369, as did their surrogates the Montana Wildlife Association, the Montana Wardens Association and some others who pretty much always side with FWP (they have a "special relationship" with FWP, don't you know).  FWP and surrogates testified that if HB 369 were to pass it would constitute an open invitation to every poacher in the World to come poach Montana because FWP wardens could never get another conviction, and the Montana wildlife resource will be quickly wiped out by these hoards of poachers.  I predict that the soft Republicans on the Judiciary Committee will buy that argument and the bill will be tabled.

HB 384, to revise carrying concealed weapon in prohibited places.  This bill would exempt people with CWPs from the restrictions about "prohibited places" at 45-8-328, MCA., a nonsensical and badly conceived law.  This bill was also opposed by cop types.  The committee took exec on HB 384 today and passed it by 12-8.  It will go to the House floor now for Second Reading.

Friday, House State Administration Committee

HB 278, to clarify and specify role of Home Guard.  The "Purpose" section of the bill says:  "The purpose of this part is to establish the Montana home guard as a volunteer community service apparatus in Montana to fill the gap between community service organizations, such as a neighborhood watch program and the Montana national guard, and to provide the state and its local communities with the ability to call upon trained and organized volunteers when necessary resources are otherwise unavailable. "  It fleshes out existing laws to clarify organization and mission of Home Guard units.  There was no opposition to HB 278 (well, the tinkerbell from the Montana Human Rights Network was there for comic relief but he was unable to articulate anything that got any traction).  I predict the committee will pass HB 278.

ACTION NEEDED

For the two bills enroute to the House floor for Second Reading, your legislator and any other legislator you want to contact need to hear that you want these two bills to pass, and a very short reason why.  These two are:  HB 174, to repeal suppressor prohibition and HB 384, to revise prohibited places.

About the other bills ... The House Judiciary Committee has 14 Republican members and 6 Democrats.  Operating on the assumption that Republicans usually vote pro-gun, you'd think this committee would be a slam-dunk for our bills.  You'd be wrong.


HB 271.  Four Republicans voted against HB 271 (permitless carry) in executive action today, for a 10-10 (no action) vote.  I want you to know specifically who these four are.

Jesse O'Hara is veteran legislators and a retired high school counselor and athletics teacher from Great Falls known as a soft (non-conservative) Republican who takes his directions about all gun bills from an anti-gun friend on the Great Falls Police Department.

David Howard is a retired FBI agent from Park City, normally a pretty reliable conservative - second term - (and a guy I like, personally), but who has a real "law and order" attitude and an indelible sense that police must be empowered to be masterful.

Liz Bangerter won a Republican seat in Helena, a company town populated by public employees.  She is a freshman and unknown, but she did promise MSSA on her Legislative Candidate Questionnaire that she would support this issue, based upon which MSSA endorsed her.  In part because of the MSSA endorsement and extra support, she turned in a surprise victory over a well-known Democrat to win her seat.  I hear she's not thought of as a serious conservative, about the position on the political spectrum it would take to win a seat in Helena.

Mike More is in his second term and used to be thought of as a very solid conservative, from Bozeman.  Mike said on his MSSA Legislative Candidate Questionnaire that he would "Cosponsor" HB 271.  This is a stronger response even than Liz's "Support" response, and earned Mike more points.  As with Liz, MSSA endorsed Mike, partly because of his LCQ, and partly because of his voting record from last session.  I can't imagine why Mike voted against HB 271.  Politically, he knows better (than to so blatantly cross MSSA).  Philosophically I'd expect Mike to be square in our camp.  It's a mystery.

THESE FOUR NEED TO BE HAMMERED WITH CONTACTS!!!  Be Polite!!  I've taken the time to describe these four so you may have some idea how to approach them.  I really doubt that O'Hara will come around.  Howard may move with enough pressure.  Bangerter should flip once she realizes how important HB 271 is to MSSA folks.  I hope More just made a mistake and will come immediately home once reminded.  Please get after these four legislators asking them to support HB 271.

The theme should be:  HB 271 only makes it inside cities as it has been successfully outside cities for two decades.  Some legislators (Howard) argue that cops inside cities wouldn't be able to figure out how to work under the new law.  Answer:  Just like sheriffs deputies have been doing outside cities for 20 years. 

Again, BE POLITE!  No name-calling.  No threatening, even politically.  Be firm, be strong, be persuasive and be brief, but be nice.  It is fine to say you feel very strongly about this, just no bad words!

HB 368, guns in employees cars.  No vote has been cast in the House Judiciary Committee on HB 368 yet, so we don't know who is for and against us.  We need to contact all committee members.  We also REALLY need employers who do NOT restrict firearms locked in employees vehicles to contact committee member and tell them so.  If you know any employers, please ask them if they have a policy banning guns locked in employee vehicles.  If they don't, please get them to send a message to committee members saying that.

Here is the argument that seems to work the best:  The employee has a property right associated with this vehicle, an employee property right that is an enclave of personal right within the employer's property and property right.

Please contact ALL House Judiciary committee members asking support for HB 368.

Some more updates.  I promised you I have a Plan B for Sheriffs First, SB 114.  I'm still working on that.  Stay tuned.  SB 136, born in Montana, hunt in Montana at the cost of a resident, has passed the Senate with a final vote of 49-0.  Constitutional rights protection, SB 150, is still simmering in Senate Local Government Committee.  Messages there would be good.  HB 159, to prevent FWP from regulating ammo and firearms, has passed House Second Reading by 68-31 on mostly a party-line vote.  HB 148, to allow motorized access for game retrieval has been tabled by the House FWP Committee - probably dead.  HB 177, monitoring wolf diseases, has been tabled by the House FWP Committee, but will likely be resurrected when amendments and a new fiscal note are applied.

That's enough.  Please help out with messages to all House members to support HB 174 and HB 384, to all Judiciary Committee members to support HB 368, and to the four named members of House Judiciary to support HB 271.

Thanks loads,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

[Basil Fishbone]

Fwd:  More bills introduced, update

Dear MSSA Friends,

More bills on the MSSA Legislative Agenda and of interest to MSSA have been introduced.  They include:

HB 435, limit police firearm seizure.  Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.  No hearing date set yet.

HB 321, nullify federal endangered species act.  Assigned to House Judiciary Committee, public hearing on Friday, 2/11.

HB 381, make federal enforcement contrary to the Montana Firearms Freedom Act a state crime.  Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, no hearing date set yet.

HB 448, create interstate compact for mutual enforcement by states having enacted Firearms Freedom Acts.  Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, no hearing date set yet.

Notes on other bills:

MESSAGES NEEDED.  HB 271, permitless carry failed again on a tie vote to get out of House Judiciary Committee.  This time, Rep. Michael More (R-Bozeman) switched and voted FOR HB 271 I think he will stick), but Rep. Joe Read, (R-Ronan) also switched and voted AGAINST HB 271.  Rep. David Howard (R-Park City) continues to speak and vote AGAINST HB 271.  Read and Howard need more messages asking them to support HB 271.

HB 174, suppressor prohibition repeal, has passed committee but has not been scheduled yet for Second Reading on the House floor.

HB 384, to exempt CWP-holders from Prohibited Places, passed the House on Second Reading today by a vote 59-40.  Eight Republicans voted against HB 384 (Duane Ankey, Liz Bangerter, Tom Berry, John Esp, Steve Fitzpatrick, Steve Gibson, Harry Klock, Walter McNutt, and Jesse O'Hara).  One Democrat, Bob Mehlhoff, voted for HB 384.

HB 355, to award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense, has been tabled in committee.

HB 369, to revise fish and game enforcement laws, has been tabled in committee.

That's enough for now.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

[Basil Fishbone]

Marbut: Bills scheduled for 2/16


Fwd:  Dear MSSA Friends,

Three bills have just been scheduled for public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee at 8 AM on Wednesday, February 16th.  These bills are:

HB 435, limit police firearm seizure - when police can take your guns and how long they can keep them.

HB 381, make federal enforcement contrary to the Montana Firearms Freedom Act a state crime.

HB 448, create interstate compact for mutual enforcement by states having enacted Firearms Freedom Acts.

Please be prepared to come to Helena to speak for these bills or be prepared to send messages to legislators.  I'll do a reminder and update over the weekend.

MSSA's first priority bill, Sheriffs First, SB 114, is still stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee and we haven't forgotten it.  It's not dead yet.  Our second priority bill, about encouraging the production of smokeless powder, primers and brass in Montana will be introduced soon in the Senate.  See a story with mention of this today at:
http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_c47e6d48-3405-11e0-ab81-001cc4c03286.html

Best wishes,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

[Basil Fishbone]

Bill hearing tomorrow - ESA rejection

Fwd: Dear MSSA Friends,

HB 321, to nullify federal endangered species act, will have it's public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow, 2/11.

I highly recommend that you send in comment to members of the House Judiciary Committee in support of HB 321.  It is one of the vehicles by which we may be able to effectively deal with wolves (and more) in Montana.

You can bet that all the greenies will be sending in comment opposing HB 321.  Don't let them drown you out.

Gary Marbut, president

[Basil Fishbone]

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_30aec024-3a07-11e0-92f5-001cc4c002e0.html

Lawmakers hear latest round of gun rights bills

By the Associated Press missoulian.com | Posted: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 12:57 pm | Loading…

HELENA - State lawmakers are debating the latest batch of Republican-backed gun bills.
The measures heard Wednesday would allow legislators to carry guns in the Capitol, limit police officers' authority to seize weapons and reduce federal jurisdiction over state firearms.

Other Republican bills that have already been endorsed by the House would allow hunters to use silencers and let people carry weapons into places where they're now prohibited, such as banks and bars. ...<snip>...

[Basil Fishbone]

Dear MSSA Friends,

Remember that this coming Thursday is "Transmittal," the day by which bills must be passed by the House and sent to the Senate, or visa versa, or the bill is dead.  This deadline does not apply to revenue, taxation or appropriation bills.

Folks.  THIS IS THE CRITICAL POINT WHERE YOUR CONTACTS TO LEGISLATORS ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED.  See ACTION ITEMS below.

Here is the status roundup:

HB 148, Allow motorized access to public lands for game retrieval.  Tabled in House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee.  Bill dead.

HB 159, Restrict authority of FWP to regulate ammo or firearms for hunting.  Passed House Second Reading, re-referred to House Appropriations Committee.

HB 174, Repeal prohibition on firearm sound reduction devices in field.  Passed the House, sent to the Senate, assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

HB 177, Provide for monitoring of wolf diseases.  No action by House FWP Committee.  Revised fiscal note reducing cost from $450,000 to $18,000.  This bill is languishing in committee without action, an improper result.  The FWP Committee has met for the last time before Transmittal.  HB 177 can only be moved by motion and a vote from the floor of the House.  Anyone who wants this bill passed MUST hound House members to force a vote on HB 177 from the House floor.

HB 271, Exception to concealed weapon offense if eligible to apply ("permitless carry").  Passed by the House Judiciary Committee and pending Second Reading action on the House floor.  Contact House members and urge them to approve HB 271.

HB 278, Clarify and specify role of Home Guard.  Tabled by the House State Administration Committee - revised Fiscal Note requested.  There is also a chance for the House to force this bill out of committee, however it will require hounding House members to do it if you want it to happen.

HB 321, Nullify federal endangered species act.  Passed by House on Second Reading.  Re-referred to House Appropriations Committee.

HB 332, Restore the right of a fully informed jury.  Waiting action by the House Judiciary Committee.  Contact Committee members if you want HB 332 to pass.

HB 355, Award attorney fees and costs for person found not guilty for self defense.  Tabled by the House Judiciary Committee.  Probably dead.

HB 368, Allow keeping firearm in parked vehicle or while on employer's business .  Tabled by House Judiciary Committee.

HB 369, Revise fish and game enforcement laws.  Tabled by the House Judiciary Committee.  Probably dead.

HB 381, Criminalize enforcement of certain federal firearms laws.  Holding on a 10-10 vote in House Judiciary Committee.  Can be sprung with enough effort.

HB 384, Revise carrying concealed weapon in prohibited places.  Passed by the House, assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee.

HB 435, Limit police firearm seizure.  Tabled by the House Judiciary Committee.  Probably dead.

HB 448, Enact interstate compact for enforcement of firearms freedom laws.  Passed Second Reading in the House.  Pending Third Reading.

HB 471, Generally revise fish, wildlife, and parks laws (limit Montana to 15 packs of wolves).  Passed on Second Reading in the House.  Pending third Reading.

HB 496, Allowing law enforcement agencies to destroy certain firearms they possess (Bad bill).  Passed the House on Second Reading, pending third Reading.

HB 558, Revise laws regarding students and firearms in school.  Tabled by House Education Committee.  Probably dead.

SB 114, Sheriffs first.  Passed (as amended) by the Senate on Second Reading, pending Third Reading.

SB 136, Revise residency requirements for hunting (born in Montana, hunt for the cost of a resident).  Passed by Senate, assigned to House FWP Committee.

SB 150, Provide for protection of rights through actions against public officials.  Tabled by Senate Local Government committee - SB 345 introduced as substitute.

SB 345, Revise attorneys fees to enforce constitutional rights.  Pending action in Senate Local Government Committee.

SB 371, Encourage manufacture of ammunition in Montana to ensure availability.  Referred to Senate Taxation Committee (no transmittal deadline).

SB (wolf control - not introduced yet - no Transmittal deadline)

ACTION ITEMS:

HB 177 - monitoring wolf diseases.  House members must be asked to force HB 177 to the floor for a vote.

HB 271 - permitless carry.  Urge all House members to support HB 271.

HB 278 - Home Guard.  House members must be asked to force HB 278 to the floor for a vote.

HB 332 - informed juries.  Ask House Judiciary Committee members to support HB 332.

HB 381 - enforcement of federal firearm laws.  Ask House Judiciary Committee members to support HB 381

HB 496 - destroying firearms.  Ask House members to OPPOSE HB 496.

HB 558 - guns in school parking lots.  House members must be asked to force HB 558 to the floor for a vote.

SB 345 - attorneys fees to enforce constitutional rights.  Ask Senate Local Government Committee members to pass SB 345.

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com