Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Joining several of the nation's Republican governors at the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Governor Greg Gianforte today reaffirmed his commitment to defending Montanans' Second Amendment-protected rights.

"In Montana, we're proud of our state and nation's rich Second Amendment heritage," Gov. Gianforte said. "We'll keep Montana a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise, and we'll always defend the right of law-abiding Montanans to keep and bear arms."

During the forum, the governors shared their states' work to protect the firearm industry, preserve and defend citizens' Second Amendment rights, and encourage investment from more businesses in the industry.

Fielding questions on a new Montana law to protect citizens' retirement security from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, the governor shared, "It's unreasonable that someone who has invested in their 401(k) or state pension should be willing to accept lower financial returns on their retirement funds just because some woke investor in Boston or San Fransisco is advancing their political agenda."

ESG investing prioritizes environmental, social, and governance investment principles over traditional investment principles designed to maximize shareholder returns. ESG investing discriminates against many industries, including the firearms industry.

Last year, the governor announced the State of Montana reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing shareholder returns on the over $26 billion in investments of the state's financial assets and signed into law a series of pro-freedom, pro-free enterprise bills to guard against ESG investing.

Highlighting recent business investments and the state's commitment to protecting the firearms industry from discrimination, the governor said, "Montana is home to over 150 innovative firearm and ammunition businesses, the highest per capita in the nation. And we're recruiting more who love freedom and love free enterprise. We're open for business."

SHOT Show is one of the largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor trade shows in the country with over 2,500 exhibitors and 52,000 attendees. Over two dozen Montana ammunition and firearm manufacturers are present at this year's show.