Gianforte Signs Constitutional Carry Bill
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 102 last week into law. The governor says the new law protects Montanans’ Second Amendment rights and promotes public safety.
“Every law-abiding Montanan should be able to defend themselves and their loved ones. That’s why today, I’m signing H.B. 102 into law,” Gianforte said. The new law allows law-abiding Montana gun owners to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense throughout the state without written authorization from the government. The new law also simplifies the patchwork of concealed carry laws into a single standard throughout our state.
Montana joins nearly 20 states with similar legislation.
Before signing the bill, Gianforte pointed to history, saying, “Our Second Amendment- protected right to keep and bear arms is part of Montana’s, and our nation’s, rich heritage. We have a responsibility to preserve it.”
Rep. Seth Berglee (R-Joliet), the bill’s primary sponsor, and Sen. Theresa Manzella (R-Hamilton) joined Gianforte in celebrating the bill’s signing.
“House Bill 102 ensures that law-abiding Montanans’ right to self-defense is protected from state barriers. This legislation allows concealed carry without a permit in the same places that open carry is currently allowed, which is the safer modern way of carrying firearms. I thank Gov. Gianforte for signing this Republican priority bill into law,” Berglee said.
Organizations representing Montana gun owners welcomed the signing of the bill.
Brian Gosch, Montana state director of National Rifle Association (NRA): “Montanans should not have to seek government approval and jump through bureaucratic hoops in order to exercise their right to self-defense. Gov. Gianforte recognized this and worked to codify these rights.”
Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association: “HB 102 is a commonsense measure, based on 30 years of actual experience in Montana, to expand the places where our independent people are allowed effective responsibility for the safety of themselves and their families. MSSA thanks Rep. Berglee for sponsoring HB 102, and the Legislature and Gov. Gianforte both for trusting the people of Montana to possess firearms and for eliminating those dangerous ‘gun free zones’ where only criminals are armed because of government policy.”
