Montana
Tomas,
I don't think you are being a naysayer at all, it's a legitimate concern. Things may not go the way we want them to; or we may get the clarification that we want. One thing is for sure: it's not going to change for the better if we don't try. The antis certainly don't quit trying. I'm sure there were antis around when all these regulations were first put in place, but it still happened, we still have very good gun laws here in Washington.
I would like to see a law on the books that one state has, can't remember which one. where it is not a crime if you display your weapon in order to ward off an attack. South Carolina has a law that if you are acquitted in a self defense case you cannot be sued in civil court. I would like to see that law on our books as well. We are fortunate that we have a state AG who has a favorable view towards gun owners. Also, I think our state preemption is a blessing; I feel sorry for people who live in a state where they have to know the gun laws everytime they cross a county line or go to a different town.
Life is a risk, always has been, always will be. We can cower in fear of what might happen, or we can confidently work for what we want. I have spent entirely too much of my life living in fear; I won't do that anymore. The campaign to strip us of our rights is relentless, we have to be also.
Ruby,...is this it? It's a beaut!
[size=Additional Bill Links][/size]PDF version
HOUSE BILL NO. 228
INTRODUCED BY K.KERNS, ANKNEY, ARNTZEN, BALYEAT, BENNETT, BLACK, BLASDEL, BONIEK, R.BROWN, T.BROWN, CAMPBELL, CURTISS, GALLUS, HAMLETT, HENDRICK, HINKLE, HOVEN, INGRAHAM, JACKSON, JONES, KOTTEL, MCGEE, MEHLHOFF, MILLER, MORE, RANDALL, ROUNDSTONE, SMITH, SONJU, VANCE, WARBURTON
AN ACT PRESERVING AND CLARIFYING LAWS RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE AND THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS; AMENDING SECTIONS 45-3-103, 45-8-321, AND 46-6-502, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature declares that:
(1) the right of Montanans to defend their lives and liberties, as provided in Article II, section 3, of the Montana Constitution, and their right to keep or bear arms in defense of their homes, persons, and property, as provided in Article II, section 12, of the Montana Constitution, are fundamental and may not be called into question;
(2) the use of firearms for self-defense is recognized within the right reserved to the individual people of Montana in Article II, section 12, of the Montana Constitution;
(3) self-defense is a natural right under section 1-2-104, MCA, and is included in sections 49-1-101 and 49-1-103, MCA;
(4) the lawful use of firearms for self-defense is not a crime or an offense against the people of the state;
(5) in a criminal case in which self-defense is asserted, the burden of proof is as provided in [section 10];
(6) in self-defense, the use of justifiable force discourages violent crime and prevents victimization; and
(7)
the purpose of [sections 1 through 3] is to clarify and secure the ability of the people to protect themselves.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1.
No duty to summon help or flee. Except as provided in 45-3-105, a person who is lawfully in a place or location and who is threatened with bodily injury or loss of life has no duty to retreat from a threat or summon law enforcement assistance prior to using force. The provisions of this section apply to a person offering evidence of justifiable use of force under 45-3-102, 45-3-103, or 45-3-104.
Section 2.Openly carrying weapon -- display -- exemption.
(1) Any person who is not otherwise prohibited from doing so by federal or state law may openly carry a weapon
and may communicate to another person the fact that the person has a weapon.
(2) If a person reasonably believes that the person or another person is threatened with
bodily harm, the person may warn or threaten the use of force, including deadly force, against the aggressor, including drawing or presenting a weapon.
(3) This section does not limit the authority of the board of regents or other postsecondary institutions to regulate the carrying of weapons, as defined in 45-8-361(5)(b), on their campuses.
Section 3.Investigation of alleged offense involving claim of justifiable use of force. When an investigation is conducted by a peace officer of an incident that appears to have or is alleged to have involved justifiable use of force,
the investigation must be conducted so as to disclose all evidence, including testimony concerning the alleged offense and that might support the apparent or alleged justifiable use of force.
Section 4.Section status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.
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