{"id":95967,"date":"2018-08-21T12:11:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-21T16:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=95967"},"modified":"2018-08-21T12:11:41","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T16:46:32","slug":"montana-governor-ban-assault-weapons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/montana-governor-ban-assault-weapons\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana Governor Wants to Ban \u2018Assault Weapons\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Montana<\/a>

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock basically now supports every gun control measure he opposed when he ran for reelection in 2016.\u00a0 What’s changed?\u00a0 The Democrat is eyeing a 2020 presidential run.\u00a0 (Photo: CNN<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock wants to ban \u201cassault weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Democrat\u00a0didn\u2019t always feel this way, especially when he was campaigning for reelection in 2016 to remain governor of The Treasure State. But now that he has his sights set presumably on a 2020 presidential bid, he seems to be doing what so many politicians do when it is convenient: evolve<\/em> on the issue.<\/p>\n

Bullock was asked if he would support banning modern sporting rifles on Sunday during an interview with CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I would, Jake,\u201d Bullock admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we really step back for a minute, I think most folks \u2014 be it in Montana or elsewhere \u2014 that are firearm owners want to keep themselves and their families safe,\u201d said the two-term governor. \u201cIt\u2019s not unlike folks that say that all of these school tragedies and everything that\u2019s been happening, what do they really want? Those same values.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, just two years ago when he was being challenged by Republican gubernatorial hopeful Greg Gianforte, Bullock was singing a completely different tune.<\/p>\n

“Steve Bullock supports Montana’s current laws when it comes to gun rights. He opposes universal background checks, he has expanded gun rights as governor and he will always stand up for the second amendment,\u201d said his campaign in a statement.<\/p>\n

Exclusive: When Seconds Count, Armed Teachers Offer Unique Advantages Over Resource Officers<\/a><\/h2>\n

In May of this year, his 2A stance radically changed. In an op-ed published<\/a> by the “Great Falls Tribune,” he began suddenly arguing for every gun control policy under the sun: \u201ccomprehensive background checks,\u201d \u201cred flag laws,\u201d \u201cplacing age limits on who can purchase firearms,\u201d banning \u201cbump stocks\u201d and \u201chigh capacity magazines.\u201d Bullock went from Charlton Heston to Michael Bloomberg overnight.<\/p>\n

He also wrote, \u201cArming teachers is absurd; period. Those licensed to carry concealed are not trained law enforcement officers, and we shouldn\u2019t confuse the two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Incidentally, this abrupt 180-turn coincided with media reports <\/a>suggesting that Bullock was angling to become the next Democratic nominee for president.<\/p>\n

During the CNN interview, Tapper also asked Bullock if he thinks he could beat Trump in 2020. Bullock dodged the question, saying, \u201cRight now, really, what I\u2019m doing is, I have been listening. I have been traveling the country quite a bit, listening probably more than I have been talking. I have shared what we have done in Montana. But, for now, that\u2019s as far as it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n