Montana Lawmakers to Propose Gun Regulation Changes
Three legislators plan to introduce bills in January 2027 to permit the use of gun suppressors and short-barreled weapons.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law
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Should states move to legalize gun suppressors and short-barreled rifles?
Three Republican legislators in Montana are preparing bills for the 2027 legislative session to legalize the use of gun suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. The move follows a North Texas court ruling that led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to suspend enforcement of specific federal firearm regulations.
Why it matters
Lawmakers intend to prevent federal mandates from superseding state laws and aim to eliminate regulations they describe as unnecessary for hunters and shooting enthusiasts. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen noted that state-level changes are required to align with the current federal enforcement shift.
Legislators are drafting identical bills for the House and Senate to fast-track the removal of state laws governing suppressors and short-barreled weapons. This initiative follows 247 recorded gun deaths in Montana in 2024, of which 212 were suicides.
The players
Austin Knudsen
He serves as the Attorney General of Montana and oversees legal interpretations regarding state firearm statutes.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
This federal agency is responsible for enforcing laws related to firearms and is currently issuing new regulations for the transfer of short-barreled weapons.
The details
The proposed legislation involves trimming existing state law provisions related to silencers and repealing sections that currently restrict short-barreled rifles and shotguns. These changes seek to establish state autonomy over Second Amendment rights following the ATF's suspension of federal enforcement in these categories.
Timeline
Montana recorded 247 total gun deaths in 2024.
A North Texas court issued a ruling on federal firearm regulations in August 2026.
Legislators requested drafts for the proposed state bills in September 2026.
The 2027 Legislature session opens in January 2027.
Political Context
Opponents of the measure, including gun safety advocates, argue that easing restrictions on short-barreled weapons and suppressors could exacerbate the state's existing firearm mortality crisis. They contend that maintaining strict state oversight is essential to public safety, especially given that Montana currently reports high rates of gun-related fatalities among American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
If passed, the legislation will remove state-level prohibitions on specific firearm types, potentially altering how gun owners in the state purchase and possess these items. Residents should monitor the 2027 legislative calendar to see how these potential changes may impact current state-level firearm possession requirements.
The takeaway
The upcoming session will serve as a key test for how Montana balances federal court shifts with its own state-level gun policies. Hunters and enthusiasts should watch for the official draft language to understand which specific firearm restrictions will remain in effect.
What happens next
The legislative session is scheduled to open in January 2027, at which point the bills will be formally introduced for debate.
Further reading
For broader context on state firearm regulations, see Montana Law.
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Should states move to legalize gun suppressors and short-barreled rifles?
