No SSN to Hunt Initiative Announced

MISSOULA - The Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) announced today that it is launching it's No SSN to Hunt initiative to repeal the new law requiring hunters and fishers to surrender their Social Security Number in order to obtain a hunting or fishing license. MSSA submitted the first draft of the proposed initiative to state officials by mail on Monday, beginning the process required by law for various approvals before supporters may begin gathering signatures on petitions. Supporters hope to receive necessary approvals and have petitions circulating by mid-April.

Enacted as part of SB 76 in the 1999 legislative session, the new SSN requirement for hunting and fishing licenses is part of a package of provisions aimed ^Ódeadbeat dads^Ô, or at enhancing collection of overdue child support payments from delinquent parents. These provisions were enacted because of federal mandate that the Legislature pass such laws.

Proponents of these provisions in the Legislature argued that failure to comply with federal mandates could result in federal withholding of $110 million of welfare-related federal money intended for Montana. Legislative opponents challenged that privacy is a constitutionally-guaranteed, individual right in Montana, and that the federal government has no right to abrogate the Montana Constitution by threatening to withhold money, much of which was taken from Montana taxpayers.

MSSA is the primary political action-action organization for gun owners and hunters in Montana. MSSA is most noted for getting pro-gun and pro-hunting legislation through the Legislature. In the 1999 legislative session, seven pieces of legislation were introduced at the request of MSSA, and six of those were passed. More are listed under "Successes" on MSSA's Website.

MSSA President, Gary S. Marbut, commented, ^ÓThe announcement that hunters and fishers would have to give up their SSNs has angered people all across Montana. Many legislators relate that they have received more protesting phone calls about this issue than about any other. With this initiative, we will give Montana people a way to guard their privacy, and to respond to the overbearing character of the federal government.^Ô

This proposed initiative would not affect the many other requirements for SSNs enacted by the recent legislature, but would apply only to the law concerning SSNs for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. The measure is intended to be placed on the November, 2000, general election ballot. To get the measure on the ballot, supporters will first need to gain approval of the law change drafting from the Legislative Services Division, then for the form of the initiative from the Secretary of State, and then will need to gather thousands of signatures (exact number to be determined by the SoS) from registered voters all across Montana.

Marbut continued, ^ÓConsidering how very unpopular the new SSN to hunt or fish requirement is, we believe this initiative will be supported enthusiastically by sportsmen and women across Montana. We will make news about the process, as well as downloadable petitions and instructions, available on our Website, www.mtssa.org. People who want to follow the process should check our Website occasionally. We will also print and mail petitions to interested persons as soon as they are available.^Ô

Information: Gary S. Marbut, mssa@mtssa.org or 549-1252