01-28-2015, 07:33 PM
Lawmakers consider bill to nullify federal gun bans
HELENA (AP) – A bill vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock in 2013 that sought to prevent local police from enforcing federal bans on semi-automatic weapons is getting another shot in the state Legislature.
Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman introduced House Bill 203 in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and told lawmakers he’d like to expand the scope of the bill.
“What I’d like to see is that the bill be broadened by removing the references to semi-automatic weapons,” Wittich said. “The intent of this was that anything that impairs Montanans’ rights to keep and bear arms by the federal government ... is something that we should not be co-opted into as far as enforcement.”
Under the measure, local law enforcement authorities would be barred from enforcing any federal laws banning semi-automatic weapons. County attorneys would be required to prosecute those enforcing such laws. For example, a police officer who arrests someone illegally selling a semi-automatic weapon could be arrested and charged with the crime of enforcing federal gun laws.
FULL STORY
HELENA (AP) – A bill vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock in 2013 that sought to prevent local police from enforcing federal bans on semi-automatic weapons is getting another shot in the state Legislature.
Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman introduced House Bill 203 in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and told lawmakers he’d like to expand the scope of the bill.
“What I’d like to see is that the bill be broadened by removing the references to semi-automatic weapons,” Wittich said. “The intent of this was that anything that impairs Montanans’ rights to keep and bear arms by the federal government ... is something that we should not be co-opted into as far as enforcement.”
Under the measure, local law enforcement authorities would be barred from enforcing any federal laws banning semi-automatic weapons. County attorneys would be required to prosecute those enforcing such laws. For example, a police officer who arrests someone illegally selling a semi-automatic weapon could be arrested and charged with the crime of enforcing federal gun laws.
FULL STORY
Lawmakers consider bill to nullify federal gun bans
HELENA (AP) – A bill vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock in 2013 that sought to prevent local police from enforcing federal bans on semi-automatic weapons is getting another shot in the state Legislature.
Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman introduced House Bill 203 in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and told lawmakers he’d like to expand the scope of the bill.
“What I’d like to see is that the bill be broadened by removing the references to semi-automatic weapons,” Wittich said. “The intent of this was that anything that impairs Montanans’ rights to keep and bear arms by the federal government ... is something that we should not be co-opted into as far as enforcement.”
Under the measure, local law enforcement authorities would be barred from enforcing any federal laws banning semi-automatic weapons. County attorneys would be required to prosecute those enforcing such laws. For example, a police officer who arrests someone illegally selling a semi-automatic weapon could be arrested and charged with the crime of enforcing federal gun laws.
FULL STORY
HELENA (AP) – A bill vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock in 2013 that sought to prevent local police from enforcing federal bans on semi-automatic weapons is getting another shot in the state Legislature.
Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman introduced House Bill 203 in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and told lawmakers he’d like to expand the scope of the bill.
“What I’d like to see is that the bill be broadened by removing the references to semi-automatic weapons,” Wittich said. “The intent of this was that anything that impairs Montanans’ rights to keep and bear arms by the federal government ... is something that we should not be co-opted into as far as enforcement.”
Under the measure, local law enforcement authorities would be barred from enforcing any federal laws banning semi-automatic weapons. County attorneys would be required to prosecute those enforcing such laws. For example, a police officer who arrests someone illegally selling a semi-automatic weapon could be arrested and charged with the crime of enforcing federal gun laws.
FULL STORY