Alabama-based gunmaker Kimber on Wednesday made clear that the opinions expressed by one of its former employees on a Montana permitless carry bill are not theirs. 

“Kimber is a proud supporter of our Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms,” said Leslie Edelman, CEO and owner of Kimber, in a statement. “We support organizations that defend these rights, and we are committed to providing the people of this great nation with the finest premium firearms available.” 

The statement came after Ryan Busse, who identified himself in a Jan. 25 opinion piece for The Missoulian as helping "build the gun company Kimber while serving as its vice president," made the case against Montana House Bill 102, a measure that would expand concealed carry rights in the state. 

"The author of this article, Ryan Busse, is no longer an employee of Kimber and has not worked for Kimber since August of 2020," stressed the company after videos by popular 2A advocates lit up social media on the subject. "His statements and opinions expressed regarding the opposition of Montana House Bill 102 are not authorized by or attributable to Kimber."

Kimber, long a New York-based company, made headlines last year by pulling stumps and moving from the Empire State to the more gun-friendly climate of Troy, Alabama. 

As for HB 102, it passed the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The state is one of at least eight who are weighing such legislation this year. 

Banner photo by Chris Eger/Guns.com.