Tuesday brings round two for a bill at the Montana Legislature to allow guns on college campuses. Republican Senator Cary Smith of Billings is carrying Senate Bill 143, which would prohibit the Board of Regents from regulating gun possession.
“Well the main argument seems to be that they don’t think that college students are smart enough or bright enough or careful enough to have weapons and I just don’t agree with that.”
Democratic Senator Dick Barrett of Missoula, says it's not a question of if students can have guns, but who makes rules on campus.
"It’s not a job for the legislature any more than telling a university system what courses it should offer. I mean, it’s not the legislature's job.”
The bill passed the Senate last month on a 26-23 vote, and must now go through the House and to the governor to become law. Both Smith and Barrett say they’re skeptical the bill will escape the governor’s veto.
