From your State Senate: with Sen. Jennifer Fielder

We are working on dozens of important issues in the legislature. My primary focus is on protecting our freedom, reviving our economy, and increasing local input in management of public lands and wildlife. Due to the number of concerns expressed regarding gun rights issues, several related bills are being introduced in the legislature this week. You can track all legislation at www.mt.leg.gov

Top Law enforcers swear to uphold Constitution:

In light of all the media attention on firearms restrictions being contemplated at the federal level, the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association issued an important statement last week to reassure citizens across the state that they will uphold their oath of office to defend the Constitution of the United States.

Several Montana Sheriffs, including Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel, had already issued similar statements. But Montana’s premier statewide association of law enforcers made the topic their top agenda item at an executive meeting in Helena last week and came out with a unified statement acknowledging their oath and duty to uphold the Constitution.

This message has been echoed by sheriffs, peace officers, elected officials, and military personnel across the country. In America, elected officials, law enforcement, and military are required to take an oath to the Constitution. Anyone who does not understand the importance of the checks and balances and rights the Constitution guarantees should study it further.

SB 145 - Concealed Weapons Permit Confidentiality:

It is common knowledge the point of having a concealed weapon permit is to lawfully and discretely carry a firearm in order to be ready to defend oneself against a threat. Should newspapers be allowed to publicly reveal the name and addresses of law abiding concealed weapons permit holders?

SB 145 was introduced in Montana after an east coast newspaper exercised careless indiscretion by obtaining and publishing a list of registered hand gun owners’ names and addresses. Widespread complaints surfaced of gun owners’ homes being targeted by burglars, and stalking victims’ addresses being revealed to their stalkers. The publicized information has become a shopping list for criminals.

If passed, SB 145 will ensure details of Montana’s concealed weapon permit holders will remain confidential within the law enforcement community and will not be publicized in the media.

To obtain a concealed weapon permit an applicant has to submit three character references, be fingerprinted, pass a background check, and receive approval from the County Sheriff.

I support SB 145 because it protects the privacy of law abiding permit holders. If a criminal knows you have a concealed weapon, the element of surprise is no longer on your side. The best case scenario is the criminal will avoid you. But a determined criminal could plan more carefully to overpower you and take your gun. Based on testimony presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee, females and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

I was dismayed when every Democrat in Senate Judiciary voted against SB 145. Thankfully every Republican voted in favor and we had the majority needed to pass the bill out of committee. Similarly SB 145 passed through the Senate with all Republicans voting in a favor and a few Democrats joining us. The bill is now making its way through the House of Representatives and should be headed for the Governor’s desk soon.

The big question is, will our Democrat governor sign the law or veto it? I suggest you contact him to express your opinion.