Associated Press - April 15, 2009 5:24 PM ET

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Gov. Brian Schweitzer has signed into law a bill that aims to exempt Montana-made guns from federal regulation.

House Bill 246 was sponsored by Republican Rep. Joel Boniek of Livingston. It applies only to guns made and kept in Montana. Its supporters hope it triggers a court case to test the legal basis for federal rules governing gun sales.

The measure is 1 of many introduced this year by state lawmakers across the nation that seek to assert state sovereignty.

Along with the gun bill, Montana legislators are also considering a resolution that affirms the federal government only has those powers listed in the U.S. Constitution.

House Resolution 3 follows an effort that failed earlier this session. It was heard Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee.

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