gun laws in montana,

[missheidi]

if someone that is passing through montana and they get caught carrying a concealed weapon, but they are a felon from a state that absolutely prohibits any possession of a firearm, does montana try them by montana laws or by the laws from which state they are from?

[Armed_and_Safe]

if someone that is passing through montana and they get caught carrying a concealed weapon, but they are a felon from a state that absolutely prohibits any possession of a firearm, does montana try them by montana laws or by the laws from which state they are from?

They would prosecute you from Montana laws and federal laws since you would not be able to carry in Montana because you have a felony and because you cant posses gun haven been convicted of a felony under federal law.

How could any State prosecute you for another States laws? That doesn't even make any sense.

[blueribbonman]

If you're a felon you're not suppossed to have a firearm in the first place.

[Phillip Gain]

All right..not a terribly well-written original post...but let me see if I can shed a little light based on what I think she's asking, with an example.

Most states do not "absolutely prohibit possession of a firearm." But my state, Massachusetts, does require EVERYONE to obtain either an FID (Firearms ID card) or LTC (License to Carry). Which one you need depends on what kind of firearms you want to own. If you don't have an FID or LTC, you are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm of any kind.

But let's say, for the sake of argument, our imaginary friend Joe is a Massachusetts resident who inherited Grandpa's old Colt 1911 that he smuggled home from WWII. And let's say Joe is a "hardcore constitutionalist" who carries that pistol everywhere he goes, regardless of state laws. And to keep it simple, let's say Joe has a clean criminal record, no felony convictions. Joe does not have an FID or LTC of any kind.

If he is caught in Massachusetts, they will prosecute the hell out of him, because he is in violation of a number of laws.

However, if he is visiting Vermont, he cannot be prosecuted for anything. Vermont does not require a license for possession of a firearm, nor for concealed or open carry. Vermont cannot prosecute Joe under Mass laws; only under Vermont laws. Each state's laws apply only within the borders of that state.

If he is visiting Montana, he can be prosecuted only under Montana law.

[Treo]

Most states do not "absolutely prohibit possession of a firearm." But my state, Massachusetts, does require EVERYONE to obtain either an FID (Firearms ID card) or LTC (License to Carry). Which one you need depends on what kind of firearms you want to own. If you don't have an FID or LTC, you are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm of any kind.

Have you ever considered moving to America?

[localgirl]

Montana you say?

Well, something like a routine traffic stop would go like this:

Sir, you're drivin' a little too fast today. I'm afraid I'm going to have to issue you this thirty dollar citation. Also, you should probably get a holster or put your gun over there on the passenger seat. You're gonna shoot your unit off. You have a nice day.

[Phillip Gain]

Have you ever considered moving to America?

Haha - and give up all this wonderful liberal Massachusetts deliciousness?

I do plan to move back south to one of the "free states" sometime in the near future. But I'm not going to complain. Moving to Massachusetts 11 years ago allowed me to accomplish a lot of positive things in a lot of areas of my life.