Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Supreme Court: Montana regents make campus gun rules

in News
Supreme Court: Montana regents make campus gun rules
Outlaw Partnersby Outlaw Partners
July 1, 2022

By Amy Beth Hanson ASSOCIATED PRESS

HELENA — Montana’s Board of Regents, not the Legislature, has the constitutional authority to regulate the possession and storage of firearms on public college campuses, the Montana Supreme Court ruled on June 29.

The unanimous decision upholds a lower court ruling that found lawmakers overstepped their authority in 2021 when they passed legislation to revise gun laws that included a provision to allow more people to carry guns on Montana University System campuses.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad
ADVERTISEMENT

Montana’s constitution gives the Board of Regents the authority to regulate the university system, and the courts agreed with the board that its power includes setting campus firearms policies.

The Montana University System “appreciates the clarity provided by the Montana Supreme Court,” spokesperson Helen Thigpen said in a statement.

The Board of Regents has a policy banning firearm possession on campuses, with exceptions for law enforcement and security officers, as well as policies governing the storage and access to firearms on campus.

“The Board is constitutionally vested with full responsibility to supervise, coordinate, manage, and control the (Montana University System) and its properties,” Justice Laurie McKinnon wrote. “The regulation of firearms on MUS campuses falls squarely within this authority.”

House Bill 102, passed by the Republican-controlled 2021 Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Greg Gianforte, expanded the places where guns may be carried, including concealed carry without a permit. It also prohibited the university system and the regents from “infringing on constitutional rights.”

“House Bill 102 was an historic expansion of Montanans’ rights and their ability to defend themselves,” said Kyler Nerison, spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen, whose office defended the state in the case. “The Montana Supreme Court’s decision today relegates university students and employees to second-class citizens, putting their rights and safety at the whims of an unelected governmental body that now has veto power over state laws it disagrees with.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The seven members of the Board of Regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate and serve seven-year overlapping terms.

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes
outlaw realty montana outlaw realty montana
ADVERTISEMENT
Outlaw Realty Big Sky Bozeman
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Jul 11
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jul 11
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at the Waypoint

Jul 12
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cretaceous Crossroads Education Celebration

Jul 12
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jul 13
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

David Yarrow photograph heads to Wildlands auction through Courtney Collins Fine Art
Arts & Entertainment

David Yarrow photograph heads to Wildlands auction through Courtney Collins Fine Art

July 9, 2025
Gallatin Whitewater Fest celebrates community, competition and crowns river royalty
Featured

Gallatin Whitewater Fest celebrates community, competition and crowns river royalty

July 1, 2025
Uncle Dan’s Cookies moves forward with new owner, same sweet legacy
Business

Uncle Dan’s Cookies moves forward with new owner, same sweet legacy

June 30, 2025
To the Tune of Hope
Featured

To the Tune of Hope

June 27, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube