Last spring, the 67th Montana legislature passed House Bill 102 — legislation that would allow students to carry firearms on campus, openly or concealed, without a permit. In May, the Board of Regents sued the state, claiming the legislature overstepped its bounds by trying to control the universities. Read moreIntroducing: In the Crosshairs
Note: This story has been updated to include comment from Seth Berglee, House Bill 102's sponsor. Read moreDistrict court permanently enjoins campus carry bill, state appeals
During any given election cycle, campaign ads with gun-toting politicians donning hunting vests and poised to shoot a target out of frame bombard every television viewer in Montana. Unlike in most states, Montanans can’t assume these politicians have an “R” by their name when they get to the… Read moreWho controls the politics of guns in Montana?
As House Bill 102, a law proposing sweeping firearms law changes in Montana, is being argued over in district court, its sponsor watches from the sidelines. Montana State Representative Seth Berglee, a Republican from Joliet, introduced the bill in the 2021 session, but has worked to expand … Read moreQ&A: Seth Berglee, Montana’s gun bill sponsor
For UM administration and the Montana University System, the issue of guns on campus has become more than a theoretical debate. House Bill 102, one of the most unrestrictive gun laws in the country, passed in the Montana legislature this spring. Read moreNew state law puts campus carry in limbo
As the legal fight over House Bill 102 and other bills escalated last spring, the student government at one of Montana’s two largest universities joined in, while the other remained an observer to the ongoing battle. Read moreASUM, ASMSU differ on legal action on controversial bills
The University of Montana football team caught fire in the second half of its home playoff game against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 26, scoring 31 unanswered points to beat the Redhawks 34-24. Read moreGriz use big second half to win home playoff game
The University of Montana, UM Athletics and the Montana University System’s Board of Regents have no contingency plans to keep firearms out of certain sporting events if the contentious House Bill 102 makes it through court intact. Read moreClear bags or bulletproof ones: How will UM Athletics adapt if gun bill remains intact?
It wasn’t until I was 17 years old that I learned both of my parents had faced down the barrel of a gun. Read moreOp-Ed: A gun is a gun, no matter who’s holding it
Galt Ranch, an hour outside of Helena near a tiny town called Martinsdale, would take a cop coming from the nearest police station about 40 minutes to reach if something went awry. Read moreWhere a ranching culture, suicide rates and an urban campus blur the meaning of safety
Lawsuits were filed. Legal documentation has been submitted. Now, all eyes turn to the district court in Helena for a legal battle that may be a step closer to determining a winner in the tug-of-war between the Board of Regents and the Montana Legislature over control of the state’s universities. Read moreIn the war for control of Montana’s universities, a lawsuit over guns is the first battle
A special thanks to Barbara Allen and the Poynter Institute for assistance with this project. The Kaimin will continue covering House Bill 102, its journey through Montana’s court system and guns on MUS campuses. For comments, corrections or letters to the editor email editor@montanakaimin.com or call (406) 243-4310.
Austin Amestoy: From the Montana Kaimin, University of Montana's independent, student-run newspaper, this is the Kaimin cast for the week of Sept. 27. I'm Austin Amestoy. Read moreViews from gun country
Austin Amestoy: Before we dive in, a warning, this episode contains discussions and descriptions of gun violence and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Read moreWho controls Montana’s universities?
In full disclosure, I own guns. I grew up on a farm, and hunting was how we fed our family. This was in a time before the fetishization of guns and the Second Amendment. Read moreLetter to the Editor Oct. 12, 2021
Disarmists believe a gun’s utility lies solely in direct use. Aside from blowing up gophers or scoring venison, guns are only useful in killing people – therefore, being armed means you are just some latent murderer waiting to “use” your gun on fellow citizens. Read moreLetter to the Editor Sept. 28, 2021
