Montana Already Passed a Nullification Bill in 2009 Which Was Found to be Unconstitutionally Void by a Court in 2013
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement after the Montana House Judiciary Committee voted to table HB 258, which would prohibit Montana state and local law enforcement from assisting in the enforcement of federal public safety laws. Nullifying federal law is unconstitutional and provisions in the bill would have prevented law enforcement officers from protecting their communities from gun violence and encouraged extremists to defy federal gun laws.
“Trying to nullify federal gun laws is dangerous and unconstitutional,” said Sheri Sprigg, a volunteer leader with the Montana chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our communities are reeling from a year of record gun violence and an unprecedented pandemic, and the last thing we needed was a law that undermines our public safety. We are grateful to the committee for stopping this reckless legislation and will continue to fight for gun safety for all Montanans.”
Law enforcement officers are fighting on the frontlines of both COVID-19 and the gun violence public health crisis and need lawmakers’ help more than ever. With over 200 gun deaths per year, Montanans need proven gun safety laws to end this public health crisis but under a nullification law Montana law enforcement officers would be discouraged from assisting federal authorities in making sure people who are a threat to themselves and others don’t have access to a firearm.
Additional information on gun violence in Montana is available here, and Everytown’s Gun Law Navigator — which shows how Montana’s gun laws compare to those of other states — is available here.
