Friday, May 15, 2009

Montana Asserts State Sovereignty

In the post "States' Rights Battle Brewing?" and "States' Rights Battle Brewing?, 2" I mentioned several states that had passed or had introduced bills asserting their authority to overrule unconstitutional regulations of the central power in Washington D.C.

Out in the big sky country of Montana, lawmakers have taken this a step further. The following comes from an article by Hylary Hylton at the Time website:

Montana has passed a law allowing local gun manufacturers to sidestep federal regulations as long as the weapons they make are sold within the territory of the state. "It's a gun bill, but it's another way of demonstrating the sovereignty of the state of Montana," Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer said, according to AP, as he signed the bill into law in mid-April. "I like big guns, I like little guns, I like pistols, I like rifles, and I would like to buy a gun that's made in Montana."

The Montana Shooting Sports Association which drafted the law also plans to support the law in the courts, up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court.

The article reveals that similar moves are afoot in other states:

In Texas (which recently saw Gov. Rick Perry joking that the Lone Star State might take up the ultimate state right and secede from the Union), a similar bill is in committee as the legislative session winds down. Tennessee and Alaska "Firearms Freedom Acts" are working their way through the process. Utah may take up a bill next year.

Along with the rise of the Oath Keepers, this is some of the most encouraging news I've heard in a while.

1 comment:

The Warrior said...

For Southern Rights hurrah....