Or is anyone aware of how, exactly, the Montana Shooting Sports Association elects the Board or Directors and president?

I'm interested in running, but couldn't find their bylaws on their website.

Last time I spoke to Gary, the short version of the conversation can be summed up as him seeming to think I'm not pro-gun/pro-freedom/pro-militia enough.

It was mind blowing, given that even most NFA guys think I'm on the extreme side.

So do I.

But he was unhappy with my version of a bill to revitalize the Home Guard, because it didn't let locals chose officers above the rank of Captain, and it limited the number of officers and other ranks that may be appointed based on the size of the unit.

It has always, forever, been the governor or (farther back pre-revolution) the crown or his appointee who selected and approved officers above the rank of Captain. Militaries require discipline, and effective management and leadership of an organization at the field grade level requires both experience and education.

He was also unhappy that consolidated Navy/Marine units of the Home Guard under my bill would have to be composed primarily of members or retirees of the naval services, and required the officers to be commissioned officers or the federal reserve or federal retirees. He thought it was a horrible idea because then the feds could activate them and deprive the state of that portion of the Home Guard. I know he means well, but he doesn't seem to understand the larger picture here in regards to Marines and sailors. Officers of the Naval Services are by law allowed to simultaneously enroll in their state naval militia units. States that have such naval militia units can receive weapons and equipment for those units at no cost from the DOD, similar to the national guard if the majority of the members are reserve or retired sailors and Marines. But, even if you are retired and already receiving your pension, a naval officer (this includes Marine Officers) by law cannot affiliate with a state military organization other than their state's naval militia.

So on the one hand, you have the possibility of receiving significant material support for naval militia units, at no cost...while having units made up of veterans who could train other units within the Home Guard. If they get recalled to active duty by the feds, yeah, that would suck...but the law only allows them to be recalled as individuals. Not as units of naval militia.

Or the other option, you exclude the legal participation of Marines in the Home Guard...and this gets you what advantage? Any at all?

Gary met me all the way back when I was growing up on the reservation. I'm not really "moving out here" so much as coming home. I didn't go back east until I enlisted, then stayed there for college.

But I understand people being protective of their pet projects. Yeah- getting down to an MSSA meeting is on my agenda.