Effort to strip Missoula’s authority to regulate firearms hits language debate
BY MARTIN KIDSTON
A number of Republican lawmakers from across the state are pushing to preserve a ballot statement prepared by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox explaining a contentious referendum heading to voters next year.
But opponents believe the statement fails to inform voters of the full impacts of the measure, known as Legislative Referendum 130, which would strip a local government’s authority to regulate the carry and possession of firearms under most circumstances.
As proposed, the referendum would prevent local governments from closing loopholes in the federal background check system. It would also strip a city of its ability to prevent “convicted felons, illegal aliens, adjudicated mental incompetents and minors” from possessing a gun.
It would also prevent cities and towns from regulating firearms at public assemblies, parks and schools, though the latter may be open for interpretation and lies at the heart of the debate.
“These opponents are asking the court to alter the attorney general’s ballot statement,” said Quentin Rhoades, a Missoula attorney representing the Republican legislators. “They’re afraid it’s going to pass, and they want to include the idea that this referendum will prevent schools from being able to regulate firearms on their campus.”
Read Full Article Here: https://www.missoulacurrent.com/government/2019/08/gop-firearms-debate/
A number of Republican lawmakers from across the state are pushing to preserve a ballot statement prepared by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox explaining a contentious referendum heading to voters next year.
But opponents believe the statement fails to inform voters of the full impacts of the measure, known as Legislative Referendum 130, which would strip a local government’s authority to regulate the carry and possession of firearms under most circumstances.
As proposed, the referendum would prevent local governments from closing loopholes in the federal background check system. It would also strip a city of its ability to prevent “convicted felons, illegal aliens, adjudicated mental incompetents and minors” from possessing a gun.
It would also prevent cities and towns from regulating firearms at public assemblies, parks and schools, though the latter may be open for interpretation and lies at the heart of the debate.
“These opponents are asking the court to alter the attorney general’s ballot statement,” said Quentin Rhoades, a Missoula attorney representing the Republican legislators. “They’re afraid it’s going to pass, and they want to include the idea that this referendum will prevent schools from being able to regulate firearms on their campus.”
Read Full Article Here: https://www.missoulacurrent.com/government/2019/08/gop-firearms-debate/
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