Gun fight with the feds in Big Sky Country?

In the wake of the easy passage through the Montana legislature of Montana House Bill 246, Governor Brian Schweitzer's signature is all that is needed to set up a potentially explosive battle between state sovereignty on the one hand, and smothering, centralized federal power on the other.

Montana-made guns may form the basis for a court showdown over states' rights if the governor signs a bill to release some firearms in the state from federal regulation.

The proposed law aims to exempt firearms, weapons components and ammunition made in Montana and kept in Montana from federal gun laws. Since the state has few gun laws of its own, the legislation would allow some gunowners and sellers in the state to skirt registration, licensing requirements and background checks entirely.

For anyone who believes the federal government can legitimately exercise only the powers explicitly enumerated by the Constitution as being within its purview (in other words, anyone who actually reads the Constitution, and is honest about what it says), there is no debate--the federal government has zero power to regulate arms produced in Montana, and that are kept within the state (rather than sold in interstate commerce, and thus made subject to federal regulation under the commerce clause).

Whether or not Governor Schweitzer will sign the bill is open to question.  Although considered a reliably "pro-gun" Democrat, I cannot help but raise an eyebrow over his enthusiastic support of Obama's candicacy, and defense of Obama's position on private gun ownership:

As for Obama, Schweitzer said, “He ain't going to take your gun away. He ain't ever going to take your gun away.”

Unless, of course, your gun is an "assault weapon," was purchased via the "gun show loophole," or is not "child-proof."

Whatever the outcome, the people of Montana should soon gain some insight into whether their governor's true loyalty lies with them and the Constitution, or with his party and president.