The Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) announced Monday that its launching an initiative to repeal Senate Bill 76, which requires Social Security Numbers for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. The "No SSN to Hunt! Initiative" requires almost 20,000 signatures from across the state to make it on a ballot.

The Senate Bill 76, passed by Montana's 1999 legislature, is intended to help the Department of Public Health and Human Services track down parents who are delinquent on child support payments. By requiring SSNs on all types of licenses, the Child Support Enforcement Division can more easily track down "dead beat" parents.

The MSSA, a Missoula-based pro-gun organization, is a vocal political action influence for Montana's gun owners, shooters and hunters. According to MSSA President Gary Marbut, the SB-76 law represents an intrusive government action that violates individual privacy.

"The announcement that hunters and fishers would have to give up their SSNs has angered people all across Montana," Marbut said in a press release. "Many legislators relate that they have received more protesting phone calls about this issue than about any other."

The bill was introduced in the 1999 legislature to avoid losing millions in federal funds. The federal government requires all states to enact a law requiring SSNs on all state license applications to help track delinquent parents. Penalty for failure to pass such a law is loss of more than $115 million in child support enforcement funds over two years.

Marbut argues that the federal government has no right to force legislation on the state by threatening the loss of money.

"The federal government has no right to abrogate the Montana Constitution by threatening to withhold money, much of which was taken from Montana taxpayers," Marbut said.

The MSSA's initiative would repeal the portion of SB-76 that requires SSNs for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. No other portion of the bill would be affected. If enough signatures are gathered, the measure could be placed on the November ballot, just in time for the general election.

"Considering 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," Marbut predicted.

Bob Danielson, owner of Danielson's True Value in Sidney, has encountered some passing comments from hunters and fishermen renewing their licenses at his store. Licenses expired at the end of February and sportsmen have started renewing for the new season.

"Most people haven't said anything, but a few are confused by the requirement. On gun purchases, the social security number is optional, but it's mandatory for hunting and fishing licenses," Danielson said. "Anytime you lose a choice it causes some reaction."

Marbut, meanwhile, hopes to have the "No SSN to Hunt! Initiative" approved by the Secretary of State's office by April so his organization can begin to collect petition signatures.

According to the MSSA website, the organization is proudly known in Helena as the "junk yard dog of politics" because of its "take no prisoners" approach to political action when asserting gun rights. The MSSA is affiliated with the National Rifle Association and the Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, but operates independently.