Gun Rights:

Protecting our rights

Montana citizens cherish their right to bear arms, a right the people have reserved to themselves from government interference in the Montana Constitution. Montana gun laws are among the best in the nation and Roy will retain these good gun laws and work to make them even better for gun owners.

Self defense

Roy voted FOR the Montana Shooting Sports Association’s Self Defense Bill in the 2005 and 2007 sessions of the Legislature. This bill would have clarified many gray areas in Montana law about when citizens may use firearms for self defense without fear of criminal prosecution for doing so. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats killed this NRA and GOA-supported bill in both legislative sessions on party-line votes.

Montana-Made Firearms

Roy voted FOR the Montana-Made Firearms bill in 2005 and 2007, a bill declaring that any firearms made and retained in Montana are not subject to federal regulation under the guise of regulating interstate commerce.

Concealed weapon permits

Roy supports the “shall-issue” concealed weapon permit law in place in Montana since 1991. Roy agrees with improving this law by standardizing requirements for permits throughout the state.

Federal Gun Regulations

Roy will urge Montana's congressional delegation to resist gun control imposed from the federal level, such as the failed ban on new semi auto rifle sales that was in effect from 1994 to 2004. Roy will work with Montana's congressional delegation to correct federal gun problems in Montana, such as the current ban on the tools of self defense in National Parks, and BATFE restrictions upon and harassment of federally-licensed firearm dealers.

Opposing gun control

Roy opposes any proposed gun control laws for Montana, including: Registration of firearms; registration of firearm owners; permits required to buy, own, possess or transport firearms; permits required to buy or store ammunition; storage requirements for firearms or ammunition; state waiting periods for firearm purchase; limits on the firearms a person may buy in a specified period; sales tax on firearms or ammunition; personal property taxes on firearms or ammunition; limits on the number of firearms a person may own or keep at home; an "arsenal license" required for storage of multiple firearms; gun locks required by law; regulation of private firearm sales between individuals; legal requirements to retreat or flee if attacked; permits needed to operate a shooting range outside cities; regulations of gun shows or firearm sales at gun shows; and permits for gun shows.

Support from Gun Rights Groups

Roy has been endorsed by both the NRA and the Montana Shooting Sports Association over the past several years and has consistently received their highest voting ratings.