Phil Drake

pdrake@greatfallstribune.com

HELENA — Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte on Tuesday touted his endorsements from gun rights groups for his support of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, saying his opponent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock was “no friend of gun owners.”

Gianforte accused Bullock for his vetoes of some gun rights bills in the last legislative session.

One of those bills would have allowed any adult to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

“When you create gun-free zones you create victim zones,” said Gianforte, who added he has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. He said if people don’t agree with the Second Amendment, “they should vote for my opponent.”

Election Day is Nov. 8.

Gianforte, via email, said the Second Amendment was clear that gun rights shall not be infringed.

“As Montanans, we value this very basic constitutional right, and defend it,” he stated. “… the right to keep and bear arms is an important part of our culture.”

Gianforte’s comments brought a rebuke from the Bullock campaign who accused the Bozeman high-tech entrepreneur of trying to deceive the public, bringing up a dispute he had several years ago with the state over a property easement.

“Today’s stunt by Greg Gianforte won’t undo his history of suing to keep Montanans out of the East Gallatin River near his mansion, then lying about it,” Bullock spokesman Jason Pitt said. “That’s not how it works in Montana, where Steve Bullock has fought hard for gun rights as both governor and attorney general.”

Bullock has said the Second Amendment “is an important tradition to preserve.”

In his 2015 veto of the carry and conceal law, Bullock said he was a supporter of the Second Amendment, but added, “I cannot support an absurd concept that threatens the safety of our communities by not providing for the basic fundamentals of gun safety or mental health screening.”

Bullock campaign staff later noted that in his March 27, 2015, veto letter, the governor said that Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association had opposed the law.

Representatives from the Montana Shooting Sports Association and the Gun Owners of America were at the trap shoot Gianforte attended at the Helena Trap Club.

John Velleco, chief executive officer of the Gun Owners of America, said, “We need a governor who respects our gun rights and trusts our people.”

Velleco urged voters not to cast a ballot for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying her election to office would be bad for gun owners.

Among those at the event was John Swanson of Great Falls, who said he “totally” agreed with Gianforte’s views on guns.

“I could have said the same thing,” he said.

After the news conference Gianforte joined some of those gathered for trap shooting.

Note: This story was altered to reflect the organizations at the event were gun rights groups.