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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Campus Concealed-Carry Bill Fails In The House

The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill meant to preserve Montanans' right to bear arms by prohibiting the enforcement of any federal ban on firearms.
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Today at the Montana Legislature, the House of Representatives voted down a bill to allow concealed weapons on college campuses. After passing the Senate 26-23, House Democrats and a few Republicans succeeded in defeating Senate Bill 143.

Speaker of the House Austin Knudsen supported the bill, noting that several major shootings have happened in gun-free zones.

“Bad guys having access to unarmed victims. That is unacceptable to me, it should be unacceptable to all of you.”

In opposition, Democrat Tom Woods said college kids experimenting with drugs and alcohol in a high-pressure environment with loaded guns is a bad mix. He says it isn’t just about students, though.

“I think we have a very powerful gun lobby using its leverage to get it’s way.”

Seven states allow concealed weapons on campus, with Idaho becoming the most recent.

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