Missoula Representative Vows to Repeal Some of Montana’s Self Defense Laws

Early this month, Missoula area state representative Ellie Hill appeared on the American version of Al Jazeera to discuss Montana gun laws with "Consider This" host Antonio Mora. The discussion was framed around the recent Diren Dede shooting and Hill argued that Montana gun laws created a culture that led to Dede’s death.

"Within the last six or seven years, we've seen states all over this country, at the behest of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the National Rifle Association, propagate these laws that expand the Castle Doctrine, expand Stand Your Ground, which I think is more appropriately called 'shoot first, ask questions later.' Whether it was in Florida with the Trayvon Martin case, or now in the great state of Montana."

Hill told Mora that the laws need to be changed.

"This isn't a partisan issue, this is a safety issue for our communities," Hill said. "This isn't an urban or a rural issue. It's time for Americans to say 'Listen, these 24 states that enacted these laws, it's just not reasonable, and it's just not common sense."

Hill has said that she plans to repeal some of Montana’s gun laws, most of the laws under consideration were part of House Bill 228, which was passed by the 2009 legislature.