Montana – -(AmmoLand.com)- Thought you might be interested in the letter below that I sent last evening to the entire Missoula City Council.
Gary
November 6, 2020
Mr. Bryan von Lossberg, president
Missoula City CouncilDear Councillor von Lossberg,
The final votes are now collected and tabulated for Legislative Referendum # 130. Although the official canvas has not been completed, it now seems certain that LR-130 has passed. It will become effective as of January 1, 2021.
When LR-130 becomes effective, any Missoula city ordinances that are inconsistent with the laws revised by LR-130 will become illegal to enforce.
In order to take advantage of the lead time offered by these circumstances, I suggest the Missoula City Council may wish to begin the process now for reviewing and revising whatever Missoula ordinances will need to be changed to bring them into compliance with the state laws revised by LR-130 that will become effective on January 1, 2021.
I suggest also that some additional training be planned and implemented for any City of Missoula personnel who may be involved in any way with enforcing Missoula ordinances, so that such personnel will be familiar with the changed conditions that will be in effect after January 1, 2021. Such training will help avoid any misunderstandings that could incur liability for the City of Missoula.
Finally, because I believe that various members of the Missoula City Council may truly wish to increase the safety of Missoula citizens, I offer again the DRAFT resolution for the City Council that has been previously been offered. The four items contained in the resolution are perfectly legal for Missoula to embrace, and if Missoula actively supported these items, that support would definitely enhance the safety of Missoula citizens. This DRAFT resolution is below.
Sincerely,
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
Author, Gun Laws of Montana==========
RESOLUTION
of the
Missoula City CouncilWHEREAS, firearms ownership and possession is a common part of Montana and Missoula culture; and
WHEREAS, Missoula residents who possess firearms should also be equipped with the knowledge about how to be safe with firearms; and
WHEREAS, such knowledge includes how to safely secure firearms, how to safely handle firearms to prevent misadventure, and how safely, legally and ethically trade firearms privately with others.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. Montana state law at 20-7-132, M.C.A., encourages schools to provide firearms safety education; and
2. The Be Safe program is a firearms safety curricula designed for children in First through Third Grade, is approved by the Montana Legislature, is approved by the Office of Public Instruction, and is the most common vehicle for delivery of firearms safety education to children in Montana; and
3. The Missoula City Council encourages all Missoula schools to allow presentation of the Be Safe curricula to classrooms of First through Third Grade students. https://progunleaders.org/BeSafe/
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
1. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks oversees firearms safety education, Hunter Education, primarily for young and aspiring hunters; and
2. Hunter Education is delivered to interested persons in the spring and in the fall in the Missoula area; and
3. The Missoula City Council encourages all interested persons to avail themselves of Hunter Education training opportunity. https://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
1. Several local firearms safety instructors provide firearms safety classes for adults who wish to be safe and competent with firearms; and
2. Information about these instructors and classes may be found Online and from local sporting goods stores; and
3. The Missoula City Council encourages all Missoula people to take advantage of this available education to learn or upgrade knowledge and skills concerning safe firearms storage, possession and use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
1. People who sell or buy firearms privately have a moral and legal obligation to do so properly; and
2. A Guide to Private Firearm Sales has been published and is available at:
https://www.progunleaders.org/PrivateSales/3. The Missoula City Council urges anyone contemplating a private sale or purchase of a firearm to review this Guide and make the person’s best effort to follow the advice offered in the Guide.
End
Gary Marbut, President
Montana Shooting Sports Association
https://www.mtssa.org
Author, Gun Laws of Montana
https://www.mtpublish.com
About the Montana Shooting Sports Association:
MSSA is the primary political advocate for Montana gun owners. Visit: www.mtssa.org