The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

In 1991 the Montana legislature moved the power to issue concealed weapon permits from district court judges to each county sheriff. Blaine County Sheriff Glenn Huestis has recently updated the process in Blaine County to better address the statutory requirements of the Montana Code Annotated (45-8-321) that governs the issuing of concealed carry permits. The updated process went in to effect on July 1 of this year. There are “close to 400” concealed carry permit holders in Blaine County according to a sheriff’s spokesperson. Montana is a “shall issue state” meaning an applicant cannot be denied a permit as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Sheriff Huestis reviewed a number of processes used in other Montana counties to issue concealed weapons permits. From this review the ‘best practices’ of several departments were incorporated to improve the process and meet changes made to the permit rules by the state legislature. The two biggest changes are a required “Legal Review” short training class and a face-to-face meeting with the sheriff prior to issuing a permit. The training and meeting must be completed for all new and renewal permits.

Huestis said he views the changes as “public service rather than additional hurdles.” He explained, “Citizens carrying concealed weapons can be more likely to have a deadly force encounter and I want the citizens to be accurately informed of the statues governing the carrying of weapons and the justifiable uses of force.” The training and meeting will help assure permit holders have the most up to date information regarding the concealed weapon permits.

The new process and changes

Per a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, the revised application form is “slightly longer than the previous application and includes all of the laws pertaining to the permit and uses of force.” Applicants are required to have three character references complete a signed “Reference Affidavit” rather than only listing references as once required. And, a training affidavit must be signed to verify they have met one or more of the statutory requirements for firearms training and proficiency (most applicants use a hunter education certification or proof of training in a course that uses instructors certified by a national firearms association).

The one evening Legal Review course is taught by Undersheriff Frank Billmayer and Deputy Chris Adair. Billmayer said, “The focus of the short course is to have permit holders better informed about the outcomes if use of deadly force occurs or an incident involving law enforcement transpires.” He explained that the course material reviews the state statutes relevant to having a concealed weapons permit with emphasis on the legal consequences of use of deadly force. Additional topics include pre-incident and post-incident responses expected of a permit holder and how permit holders should react if stopped by law enforcement while carrying a concealed weapon. The course has been taught twice and the feedback from attendees has been very positive.

The final step in the permitting process is the meeting with the sheriff. Huestis said, “Once the applicants have completed the necessary requirements, including photo and finger printing along with a background check, I will briefly meet with them before issuing the permit.”

More information about a new permit or a renewal

A first-time Concealed Weapon Permit costs $60 and $30 for a renewal. Permits are valid for four years. The legal review class is offered the third Tuesday of every month at 7 pm in the Sheriff’s Office. For more information about the concealed weapons permit, contact the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office at 357-3260 or refer to the Blaine County Sheriff’s LogicTree mobile application. There is also information about the concealed weapon permitting requirements at http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/45/8/45-8-321.htm.