Johnson must clarify gun rights letter

By Travis McAdam - 04/01/2008

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in District of Columbia v. Heller, which centers on the constitutionality of gun-control laws in the nation’s capital. While the justices may use Heller to rule on whether the Second Amendment grants the individual or the collective right to bear arms, it could have even larger implications for Montana. According to Montana’s Secretary of State, the finding of a collective right could open the door to Montana seceding from the Union.

On Feb. 19, the Washington Times published a letter by Secretary of State Brad Johnson, who used his official title. In the letter, he stated that, if the U.S. Supreme Court upheld current D.C. law and declared gun ownership a collective right, the ruling would violate the contract made between our state and the federal government at the time of statehood. While Johnson didn’t specifically use the word “secede,” he laid the groundwork for readers to draw that conclusion.

Under the heading, “Montana may pull from Union,” Kalispell’s April Gaede, an infamous white supremacist, posted an article about Johnson’s letter on “Stormfront,” an online clearinghouse for the white power movement. Readers followed up with comments that this was “really good news for White people” and that the state would become a “white wonderland” and an “ethnic homeland.” Many readers said the possibility of secession made them ready to move to Montana. Gaede later posted a message that she didn’t really think Montana would secede, but commented the article demonstrates how Montanans think differently and thus make the state a great place for white supremacists to live.

White supremacists have talked for decades about creating an Aryan homeland in the Pacific Northwest. The Montana Human Rights Network has witnessed this firsthand, as it has helped Montana communities organize against hate groups for over 17 years. Whether it was Aryan Nations splinter groups during the 1990s or the American Nazi Party more recently, the Human Rights Network has helped communities stand up and emphatically declare that white supremacy is not a Montana value.

That is why the Human Rights Network is calling on Johnson to clarify what he meant in his letter. If he wants secession, Montanans need to know what their secretary of state is advocating. If he doesn’t, his explanation may stop people from associating our state with a haven for racists and anti-government activists.

The extreme gun rights crowd has also welcomed Johnson’s implication of secession. Online readers are congratulating Montana for potentially starting the second Civil War and are asking for real estate listings in the state. Some have discussed the need for Montana to take over the nuclear weapons housed in the state. One person said Montana could only fight off the federal government if it retains control of the weapons. Another said Montanans need to locate the launch codes to “those beasts stacked in the silos,” because then the federal government will not be “able to do (expletive removed)!!” In his letter to the Washington Times, Johnson referenced a Web site where Montana lawmakers from both major parties have signed a resolution restating much of his letter. The resolution was created by Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association earlier this year.

Back in 1994, when Congress passed an assault weapons ban, Marbut drew up a plan to repeal Article I of the Montana Constitution so the state could secede. Marbut has made a career out of running back and forth between anti-government activists and the political mainstream. Along with offering organizing tips to groups like the Militia of Montana and showing up in their publications, he wields influence at the Montana Capitol.

Groups like the Militia of Montana and Montana Freemen have hurt the state’s reputation. Activists like Marbut and some elected officials have helped bring extreme right-wing ideology into the political mainstream. That doesn’t help the state’s reputation. Now, our secretary of state has prompted a new round of discussions by white supremacists and right-wing activists about moving to Montana. Johnson needs to clear up the confusion and declare where he stands on the issue of secession.

— Travis McAdam, research director for the Montana Human Rights Network, can be reached at P.O. Box 1509, Helena, MT 59624.