Group advocates for fewer restrictions on guns in county

Members of a political advocacy group petitioned county commissioners last week to consider expanding areas where citizens may carry firearms. But a new state law, which significantly eased concealed and open carry restrictions, might render the point moot.

Mitch Walters, who spoke on behalf of the local chapter of the John Birch Society, said he would like residents to have the option to carry firearms in more government buildings.

“Let’s take this constitutional carry, this Second Amendment thing, one step further and push back at the ridiculousness of gun-free zones,” said Walters during a June 23 meeting.

A former Troy chief of police, Walters made the argument that restrictions on where residents may carry firearms only affect law-abiding citizens. He urged commissioners to pass a resolution that expands constitutional carry across the county.

Commissioner Jerry Bennett (D-2) noted that House Bill 102, signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in February, covered most if not all of Walters’ requests.

Under the new law, permit holders may carry concealed firearms in state and local government buildings. Citizens may carry concealed firearms without permits in private spaces, including banks and bars. Business owners and tenants may still forbid permit holders from bringing firearms onto their property.

HB 102 only forbids residents from carrying a firearm in local law enforcement facilities, federal buildings, federal military reservations and beyond security checkpoints in publicly owned commercial airports. Judges may issue orders forbidding firearms in their chambers and K-12 school boards may limit concealed and open carry of firearms in their buildings.

Bennett noted that firearms remained prohibited on the third floor of the county courthouse by order of District Judge Matthew Cuffe.

Commissioners did not take any action on the matter during the meeting.