Montana Health Care Privacy Becomes Effective October 1st; Providers May Not Ask About Gunsselfnews Post HB 459, now Montana law at 50-16-108, M.C.A., prohibits health care providers from asking patients questions about firearm ownership, possession or use. This new law does allow health care providers to inquire about patient possession of a firearm on the person of the patient at the time of treatment. HB 459, carried by Rep. Krayton Kerns (R-Laurel), was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Bullock to address concerns by gun owners that medical interviews and computerized medical records might be used as a tool to collect and centralize information about individuals firearm ownership. Gun owners were also concerned that anti-gun bias by a health care practitioner might cause information about patient firearms to skew a practitioners patient assessment or treatment. According to Montana law, health care providers and facilities affected by this new law includes both medical and psychological practitioners. MSSA is the primary political advocate for gun owners in Montana and has gotten 63 pro-gun and pro-hunting bills passed since being founded in 1989. See:http://www.mtssa.org/success 30 50-16-108. Privacy in health care ownership of firearms. (1) No health care provider or health care facility may: 50-16-504. Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply: Gary Marbut, President Author, Gun Laws of Montana Hat Tip: Northwest Liberty News 