Law would allow lawmakers to carry concealed guns into Capitol
HELENA � As state lawmakers on Monday considered hiring a police officer to beef up Capitol security after a congresswoman was shot in Arizona, a Montana senator has a bill to allow legislators with concealed gun permits to bring their weapons into the statehouse for protection.
At least 17 state legislators appear to have active concealed weapon permits, according to a Gazette State Bureau search of a state Justice Department database.
Senate President Jim Peterson, R-Buffalo, told reporters that legislative leaders met Monday morning and discussed the possibility of adding a police officer to their security. They made no decision and didn't discuss the possibility of adding body scanners or metal detectors, he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, on Dec. 30 asked a bill to be drafted to authorize legislators with a concealed weapon permit to carry guns into the Capitol. He would extend the same right to Capitol security guards with permits.
Jackson, who got his permit in 2009, said he put in the bill to give lawmakers the ability to protect themselves in the case of an attack.
�I think what happened (in Arizona) is exactly what could happen right here,� Jackson said.
He said he opposes the installation of metal detectors or body scanners in the Capitol, but thinks allowing those with concealed weapon permits to bring their guns into the building would be a deterrent to attacks.
Utah allows legislators to carry concealed weapons if they have permits, Jackson said, and it prevented a potential incident there in recent years.
�Six senators carry weapons,� he said.
�They had a person who forced his way past the security doors. He swung open the two double doors and was coming down the aisle. He looked up, and six guns were pointing at him. He turned around and ran right into a security guard.�
Jackson said he thinks legislators with permits need the right to carry guns in the Montana Capitol because of threats they receive.
The lawmaker said he drew a number of threats for a bill to allow the state to revoke medical marijuana cards and for opposing a measure that would have allowed school curriculums to include children's books that promote homosexual families.
He is still working on his concealed weapon permit bill this session.
Under the first draft of the bill, any legislators or Capitol security guards with concealed weapon permits could bring their weapons into the Capitol.
The Kalispell lawmaker said he didn't think many lawmakers now have permits.
Jackson said he received hands-on weapon training in 2009 from Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, and had to read several books.
He said he thinks those seeking concealed weapon permits under his bill should receive similar training.
These permits are issued by county sheriffs, he said, and applicants must fill out a form and provide character references.
Montana must be looking at Texas. Here you sure as shooting (pun intended 
) can waltz in with you CHL and packing. Matter of fact there are two lines to enter the capitol building. You got your CHL you walk up to the gate, present it to the rent a cop and go right on in packing your piece. No CHL you got to be inspected and go through the metal detector. Hell of a lot longer line for the no permit folks.