Two pro-gun bills passed through the Montana Senate on Tuesday. The measures would allow for law-abiding citizens to carry their concealed firearms into restaurants, and for properly permitted legislators to carry guns onto state property.
House Bill 494 would enable concealed-carry permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense while patronizing a restaurant where alcohol is not the primary item of sale. The NRA and the Montana Shooting Sports Foundation have both backed the measure.
Republican state Sen. Keith Regier had a response to opponents claiming that alcohol and guns don’t mix. “I’ve received several messages about this bill saying that alcohol and guns don’t mix,” he said. “Apparently, with Montana’s open carry laws, alcohol and guns have been mixing for a long time.”
The Senate also passed a second bill, House Bill 280, that would enable lawmakers with concealed-carry permits to arm themselves at the state Capitol. Both bills are with Gov. Steve Bullock for consideration.
