Eddleman Flyer (MS Word)

News Release (for immediate release - September 17, 2002)

Missoula - The Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) today announced its endorsement of Bob Eddleman for the Montana Supreme Court.

MSSA president Gary Marbut commented, "Most Montana voters have little information about how Supreme Court candidates are likely to perform on issues of interest, which usually gives an incumbent enormous advantage. In this case, there is a clear choice. Eddleman grew up on a Montana ranch, and understands legitimate firearm use and gun rights and hunting issues. Since Eddleman has been a two-term elected prosecutor, we believe he understands the need to put real criminals behind bars. It's important to have someone with this sort of background on the Supreme Court."

About Eddleman's opponent, Marbut commented, "On the other hand, the incumbent, Leaphart, joined in the Supreme Court opinion holding that if your firearm is stolen and somebody is later injured with the stolen firearm, you are responsible financially for those injuries. That holding is just not consistent with the widespread and legitimate possession and use of firearms in Montana. That holding could apply to any stolen property, such as someone's car, truck, boat, or even a kitchen knife or hammer."

Marbut continued, "Since gun rights are so important to Montana voters, it is critical that they have solid information about candidates for public office which voters may use to evaluate candidates in the upcoming November elections. We hope to shed a little light on the contest for the seat on the Montana Supreme court - a race about which voters often have little solid information. We urge all voters to vote in November, and to vote for candidates who have indicated support for the issues critical to Montana gun owners."

MSSA is the primary, statewide, political action organization advocating the interests of gun owners and hunters in Montana. MSSA is affiliated with the National Rifle Association of America and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. MSSA is a non-partisan organization, and the Supreme Court race is a non-partisan race.

- 30 -

Information: Gary Marbut, 549-1252