Om March 28, the Montana Senate tentatively approved a measure that would allow state lawmakers to be able to carry their concealed weapons in the state Capital building and other state buildings.
One of the Senators who supported the legislation, Scott Sales, the Republican Senate President, said “it would be very nice” to have a weapon for protection in case someone in a state building makes a threat. “Even with four or five police officers in this building, they can’t be everywhere,” Sales said. Sales went on to say that in today’s heated political climate, he and other lawmakers have received threats of violence from angry constituents. One threatened to “knock the smile off” his face.
Current law prohibits anyone from bringing a concealed firearm into the Capitol, even if that person is legally allowed to carry other places. Democratic Sen. Carlie Boland of Great Falls, who opposed the measure along with most other state Democrats, said she wouldn’t feel any safer knowing that her colleagues were armed. She said a better decision would be for increased security in the Capital building, including more metal detectors.
