First Shot In Liberals’ Campaign Against Montana’s Much Needed Preemption Fix

Opinion

Montana – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Missoulian recently fired the first shot in the liberals’ campaign against LR-130 and its parent bills, HB 325 and HB 357 (and attempting to advise the Montana Supreme Court in the lawsuit Missoula v. Fox). The Missoulian says basically that the City of Missoula should be allowed to experiment with gun control. You may read the Missoulian editorial at the link.

I thought you might be interested in my response to this editorial. My response is now published here.

If you don’t have access to the Missoulian, here is my response:

Does the Missoulian support local First Amendment restrictions?
(198 words)

The Missoulian believes that the City of Missoula should be allowed to enact gun control ordinances notwithstanding the Montana and US constitution’s reservation of the right to keep and bear arms to individual people (Missoulian editorial, 5/16/19). The particular gun control ordinance the Missoulian supports under this “laboratory of democracy” theory requires that individuals seek and obtain prior government approval before they may legally transfer a firearm.

Given this Missoulian position, one supposes that the Missoulian would also support a Missoula ordinance requiring prior government approval before publishing an editorial or news story, despite the freedom of the press mentioned in our constitutions.

There are many good reasons for such an ordinance. Dangerous people and activities can be inflamed by irresponsible media. It could save lives, maybe even children’s lives, if a committee of the City Council had a week to ponder the content of an editorial or news story before granting or withholding permission for publication.

I would oppose such an ordinance as a violation of reserved constitutional right, but it appears that the Missoulian has tacitly agreed to step out onto that slippery slope with its poorly-considered support for local gun control.

Good luck with your First Amendment Missoulian.

Sincerely,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
Author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.MtPublish.com

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. ~ Pastor Martin Niemoller

About Montana Shooting Sports Association: MSSA is the primary political advocate for Montana gun owners. Visit: www.mtssa.org

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