As the 2024 election season intensifies, Montana’s political landscape is heating up, particularly around the candidacy of Governor Greg Gianforte. While Gianforte’s financial success has been unfairly scrutinized by his opponents, the real story lies in the hypocrisy of one of his most vocal critics: Ryan Busse. A former firearms industry executive turned gun control advocate, Busse has made a lucrative career out of attacking the Second Amendment, all while refusing to be transparent about his own finances. For pro-Second Amendment Montanans, this raises serious questions about Busse’s true motivations and the integrity of his campaign against Gianforte.

Ryan Busse’s story is a classic example of someone who’s willing to betray their roots for personal gain. Once a respected figure in the firearms industry, Busse has since made a dramatic about-face, becoming a prominent voice in the gun control movement. What’s not often highlighted, however, is how profitable this career change has been for him. 

Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recently called out Busse for his lucrative ties to anti-gun groups, questioning why someone who once made a living from the firearms industry would now dedicate his efforts to dismantling the very rights that industry supports. Keane’s commentary pulls no punches: Busse is making a living off of undermining the Second Amendment, all while trying to present himself as a moral crusader against gun violence. 

Busse might not be wanting to release his tax returns because he knows it will lay out just how much money he made pitching his gun control book in which he bashes the firearm industry. Or maybe how much money he didn’t make.

He might also have to answer how much money he was paid for each time he testified as a paid gun control expert testifying to ban MSRs and ban standard-capacity magazines. One filing showed he was raking in $150 per hour to write “expert” testimony and $300 per hour to sit in a court to testify. That’s pretty good money for someone who once worked for a firearm manufacturer that has never made an AR-15-style rifle. He’s submitted “expert” gun control testimony to courts over 20 times.

But there’s more to the story than just the money Busse is raking in from gun control organizations. What’s most troubling is his refusal to release his tax returns, which would shed light on just how much he’s profiting from his anti-gun advocacy. For someone who’s so quick to criticize others, Busse’s lack of transparency is deeply concerning.

Busse’s refusal to disclose his financial dealings should be a red flag for voters. In politics, transparency is crucial, especially when someone is campaigning on issues as significant as gun rights. If Busse is truly committed to his cause, why not be upfront about how much he’s earning from his anti-gun work? The fact that he’s chosen to keep his financial records hidden suggests there’s something he doesn’t want Montanans to see.

This lack of transparency is particularly hypocritical given Busse’s attacks on Governor Gianforte. The Montana Free Press recently published an article scrutinizing Gianforte’s continued earnings from his private investments, even as he serves as governor. Yet, unlike Busse, Gianforte has been open about his finances, showing that he has nothing to hide. Gianforte’s wealth, earned through years of hard work in the private sector, is being used against him in an attempt to distract from his strong record of defending Montanans’ rights—including their right to keep and bear arms.

Montanans are well aware of the outside influences trying to sway their votes and strip away their gun rights. What makes Busse’s case particularly egregious is that he’s not just an outsider—he’s someone who once stood with them, profited from the industry, and now seeks to profit again by tearing down the very rights he once supported.

Busse’s refusal to release his tax returns and to disclose his income from gun control groups should make every Montanan question his true motivations. If his anti-gun stance is really about safety and morality, why the secrecy? It’s clear that Busse wants to have it both ways: to rake in the cash from gun control groups while avoiding the scrutiny that comes with such a dramatic shift in values.

Larry Keane is right to call out Busse’s hypocrisy. If Busse is going to attack Gianforte for his financial success—a success that Gianforte has been entirely transparent about—then Busse should be willing to open his own books. Otherwise, he’s just another opportunist looking to cash in on the gun control agenda, regardless of the consequences for Montanans’ rights.

While Busse hides behind a veil of secrecy, Governor Gianforte continues to be a steadfast defender of the Second Amendment. Gianforte’s financial independence, earned through years of success in the private sector, allows him to focus on what truly matters: protecting the freedoms of all Montanans. His open and transparent approach stands in stark contrast to Busse’s evasiveness.

Gianforte has established a strong pro-Second Amendment record during his time in office by consistently supported legislation that upholds and expands gun rights in Montana. Here are some key points highlighting his record on the Second Amendment:

1. Constitutional Carry: One of Gianforte’s most notable actions was signing House Bill 102 into law in February 2021. This legislation allows law-abiding Montanans to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, also known as “constitutional carry.” This move was seen as a significant victory for gun rights advocates in Montana, as it expanded the ability of residents to exercise their Second Amendment rights without the burden of obtaining a permit.
2. Repealing Gun-Free Zones: The same legislation, House Bill 102, also included provisions to reduce “gun-free zones” in the state, particularly on college campuses and in government buildings. This was a controversial measure, but Gianforte supported it as a way to ensure that individuals can defend themselves in more locations across the state.
3. Opposition to Federal Gun Control Measures: Gianforte has been vocal in his opposition to federal gun control measures that he believes infringe on the rights of Montanans. He has pledged to protect Montana from federal overreach and to resist any attempts by the federal government to impose restrictions that would undermine the Second Amendment.
4.  Support for Hunting and Outdoor Traditions: In addition to his support for self-defense rights, Gianforte is a strong advocate for Montana’s hunting and outdoor traditions. He has emphasized the importance of these activities as part of the state’s heritage and as a practical exercise of Second Amendment rights. His policies have aimed to ensure that hunters and outdoor enthusiasts have access to the tools and spaces they need.
5.  Vetoes of Anti-Gun Legislation: While specific vetoes during his tenure may not be widely reported, Gianforte’s general stance and political alignment suggest he would oppose any legislation that seeks to restrict gun rights in Montana. His record reflects a commitment to maintaining and enhancing the rights of gun owners.

Montanans deserve a leader who isn’t afraid to stand up for their rights, and who doesn’t shy away from being transparent about their own affairs. Gianforte has consistently shown that he’s willing to fight for the Second Amendment, pushing back against federal overreach and ensuring that Montanans can continue to exercise their constitutional rights.

As the election approaches, Montanans need to ask themselves: do they want a leader who is open and honest about his success, or do they want to be swayed by someone who refuses to come clean about his financial ties to the gun control movement? Ryan Busse’s hypocrisy should not go unnoticed. His refusal to release his tax returns is an indication that his motivations may not be as pure as he’d like voters to believe.

We need state leaders who are true defenders of our values and the Second Amendment, not those more interested in lining their pockets while defending infringements on our fundamental rights. The choice for Montana’s gun owners couldn’t be clearer this November.