Today, the state House voted 69 to 29 to adopt the Conference Committee report for NRA-supported House Bill 271. Sponsored by state Representative Krayton Kerns (R-Laurel), the current language of HB 271 simply says that the prohibition on concealed carry does not apply to “a person who is eligible to possess a handgun under state or federal law.”
Existing law allows any person who can legally own and possess a firearm to carry it openly, either loaded or unloaded, anywhere in the state, including within city limits. Additionally, law-abiding citizens are authorized to carry firearms concealed, without a permit, anywhere outside city limits. Law-abiding citizens do not suddenly turn into criminals when they cross the arbitrary boundary into a city. It makes no sense to allow them to carry concealed without a permit on one side of the line but not the other!
HB 271 is still pending for a vote in the state Senate to concur on the Conference Committee report. Please contact your state Senator TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to support the Conference Committee amendment to House Bill 271. Legislators can be reached via phone at (406) 444-4800 and via e-mail by clicking here. If you need help identifying your state Senator, please click here.
Source: NRA-ILA
