Senate endorses looser concealed carry law

Senate endorses looser concealed carry law

The Associated Press

HELENA — A measure to allow people to carry a concealed gun without a permit from law enforcement is closer to becoming law.

The Senate endorsed the measure late Friday in a 29-21 vote. The gun-rights proposal has already cleared the House.

Currently in Montana, a permit and background check from authorities is needed to carry a concealed gun into cities and towns. There are also old restrictions on carrying without a permit into logging, mining and railroad camps.

The new proposal would let people carry concealed guns into those areas as long as they have taken a class from a certified trainer or state agency. No criminal background check would be required, nor would the state be issuing a formal permit.

Democrats opposing the measure argued it goes too far.

HELENA — A measure to allow people to carry a concealed gun without a permit from law enforcement is closer to becoming law.

The Senate endorsed the measure late Friday in a 29-21 vote. The gun-rights proposal has already cleared the House.

Currently in Montana, a permit and background check from authorities is needed to carry a concealed gun into cities and towns. There are also old restrictions on carrying without a permit into logging, mining and railroad camps.

The new proposal would let people carry concealed guns into those areas as long as they have taken a class from a certified trainer or state agency. No criminal background check would be required, nor would the state be issuing a formal permit.

Democrats opposing the measure argued it goes too far.