Montana Passes Constitutional Carry Bill into Law!

   02.25.21

Montana Passes Constitutional Carry Bill into Law!

Beginning June 1st, 2021, Montana’s citizens will be allowed to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Bill HB 102 was signed into law by Governor Greg Ginaforte at a ceremony that took place on Thursday, February 18th. Montana now joins the ranks with 17 other states which allow for the permitless carrying of firearms.

Montana Passes Constitutional Carry Bill into Law!

The new law will now allow citizens to carry firearms in public places, but would still prohibit them from carrying concealed firearms into schools, courthouses, and law enforcement buildings.

Gov. Greg Ginaforte – Photo: CORIN CATES-CARNEY

Our Second Amendment is very clear: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” Gianforte said at a bill signing ceremony Thursday afternoon. “Every law-abiding Montanan should be able to defend themselves and their loved ones.

Criminals don’t care about safe zones or gun free zones. Gun control measures don’t prevent criminals from perpetuating violence and other crime. Gun control measures step on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Good to finally see some common sense coming out of elected representatives. Montana is a fairly gun-friendly state so it was a bit of a surprise to me when I found out they had yet to adopt a constitutional carry law. Despite the bill being passed along party lines, it was a few initial opponents to the bill who actually made the difference that allowed it to pass.

Montana Passes Constitutional Carry Bill into Law!
Photo: University of Montana

Supporters of the bill have pointed out (correctly in my opinion) that the bill creates a single standard for the state of Montana to follow. The bill would have been signed into law earlier if it had not been for some opposition by the Board of Regents who wanted the bill amended so that University campuses could maintain the ability to restrict the possession of firearms at sporting events and require basic safety training for campus carry.

HB 102: Generally revise Gun Laws

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Luke Cuenco is currently a writer for AllOutdoor who has chosen not to write a short bio at this time.

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