Montana relaxes gun restrictions, allows guns on campuses and inside state Capitol – By The Associated Press (Pennlive) / Feb 18 2021
HELENA, Mont. — A bill signed into law Thursday by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte allows concealed firearms to be carried in most places in the state without a permit, and it expands the list of places where guns can be carried to include university campuses and the state Capitol.
Gianforte, the state’s first Republican governor in 16 years, said Thursday that he was signing the bill because “gun control measures step on the rights of law abiding citizens” and “every law abiding Montanan should be able to defend themselves and their loved ones.”
The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Seth Berglee, and it passed the Republican-controlled House and Senate along party lines, with Democrats opposed.
“Educators, gun owners, bankers, and law enforcement officials came in to oppose this bill because it makes our communities and our campuses less safe,” said Democratic House Minority Leader Kim Abbott in a statement.
