30-20-202. Legislative findings. (1) In recognition that the people of Montana have reserved to themselves the individual right to bear arms in Article II, section 12, of the Montana constitution, the legislature finds that both this right and the firearms that the people possess are at serious risk if the people cannot obtain ammunition for firearms. An adequate source of ammunition is an indivisible and essential part of the right to bear arms. The people of Montana are totally dependent upon a very few manufacturers of smokeless propellant, small arms primers, and cartridge cases located in other states for small arms ammunition used in Montana.

(2) The legislature intends to encourage the manufacture of smokeless propellant, small arms primers, and cartridge cases within the borders of Montana to ensure availability of small arms ammunition for the people of Montana and to fully implement the right to bear arms that the people have reserved to themselves.