HELENA – Montana moved a step closer Friday to declaring that local sheriffs are the supreme law of the land and trying to nullify any federal crackdown on assault rifles.

The measures were among a slate of gun rights bills that cleared the Legislature’s House Judiciary Committee and now head to the House floor.

Other measures that advanced would let college students bring guns on campus, allow high school students to leave guns locked in their cars, and clear the way for nearly anyone to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Several of the bills met with staunch opposition from Democrats.

The so-called “sheriffs first” bill says federal agents must get a sheriff’s permission before making arrests or serving warrants – or risk local kidnapping or trespassing charges.

If the bill clears the Republican-controlled House and Senate, it would go directly to voters in 2014. The direct referendum would avoid the potential veto pen of Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat.

Supporters said it is a necessary check on the power of federal law enforcement agencies,

The measure was opposed earlier in the week at a hearing by local law enforcement agencies, and critics have said such a measure most certainly would face a legal challenge.

Opponents, led by Democrats, warned it would threaten the effectiveness of cooperative task forces tracking violent crime and drugs.

[link to missoulian.com]