Dear MSSA Friends,
MSSA is the most successful state-level, pro-gun political entity in the US, likely in the World. The count of bills that MSSA has gotten through the Legislature and signed into law is now up to 71. Many of these are listed on the “Successes” tab of our website at:
Many thanks to all of you who have supported and assisted MSSA in making this happen.
Now, MSSA is planning for the 2025 Montana legislative session. We will have four bills before the Legislature this session. I want to brief you on these bills so you will be informed and prepared to help pull this wagon (rather than ride on the wagon enjoying the pro-gun Montana scenery). Here are the measures MSSA is planning for the 2025 session beginning in January (not in any intended order):
- Non-discrimination over firearms. There are a number of ways that discrimination against firearms may be rearing its ugly head. Some lenders and credit or payment processors are refusing to provide services to entities that manufacture, distribute or sell firearms. Some insurers may decline to service firearm-related businesses or firearm owners. Some private entities with public access may disallow firearms but fail to offer any actual safety to disarmed people. Some employers may disallow safe travel to and from work by prohibiting firearms in employees’ private vehicles. All of these are discriminatory. MSSA proposes legislation to prohibit discrimination against firearms manufacturers, distributors, sellers, and owners.
- The cost of self defense. A person who legitimately defends himself or herself may still be destroyed financially by an overzealous or careless criminal prosecution. We propose that if a person is prosecuted for a crime, claims self-defense successfully and is not convicted, then the cost of the person’s defense must be awarded to the accused by the court. This would be a claim against the prosecutor’s budget.
- Loss of RKBA pending trial. In criminal prosecutions, it is standard fare for prosecutor’s to ask the court to strip the accused of the RKBA pending trial. In cases in which the accused used a weapon or was violent, this may be appropriate. But, in many cases it may not be, such as with non-violent crimes. Remember, innocent until proven guilty. Plus, a disarmament court order will get entered into “the system,” causing the person to become a “prohibited person” under federal law and stripped of the RKBA for life, because it is so difficult and expensive to get this prohibited status reversed in the federal system even if the person is not convicted of the state crime accused. Thus, a person could be charged with jaywalking, be slapped with a “no guns” order pending trial, be acquitted or have charges dropped, and still effectively lose the RKBA for life. MSSA plans a bill prohibiting disarming orders before trial for people accused of non-violent crimes.
- Higher education and shooting sports. Montana produces a number of competitive young shooters way disproportionate to our population size. Many Montana youth accept shooting scholarships at out-of-state universities because Montana offers no shooting programs. MSSA proposes a resolution urging the Board of Regents to encourage shooting sports and shooting teams at all institutions of higher education in Montana so that Montana youth may seek shooting programs and scholarships in Montana.
MSSA is now sorting out drafting and legislative sponsors for these measures. When they are introduced after the Legislature convenes in January they will get bill numbers. I’ll let you know when that happens. We will depend on you to help pull this wagon and I will also let you know how you can help do that.
Thanks in advance for your interest and help.
Best wishes,
Gary Marbut, President
Montana Shooting Sports Association