BILLINGS -- The three Democratic candidates for Montana attorney general expressed similar opinions in a debate Friday night in Billings.

John Parker, Mike Wheat and Steve Bullock instead played up their unique experiences and qualifications for the job. Each candidate said he believes that, as the state's chief law officer, it is the attorney general's responsibility to ensure a safe environment for Montana residents.

"What kind of Montana are my kids and everyone else's kids going to inherit?" Bullock asked. He spent several years working in the attorney general's office and has been operating a law practice in Helena since 2004.

Wheat, a lawyer and former state senator from Bozeman, implored the small crowd in attendance to consider which of the three candidates is most qualified to run against the Republican candidate and win.

The candidates answered four questions during the debate at Petro Theater at Montana State University Billings.

For the first question, moderator Marvin Granger asked about the attorney general's responsibility to children in Montana, especially regarding drugs, Internet predators and keeping youth out of prison.

Parker, a prosecuting attorney for Cascade County and state representative from Great Falls who has led the House Democrats since 2005, said a large part of the solution lies with proper education before children become involved with drugs and effective treatment programs for troubled youth.

"It's vital for moving Montana forward," he said.

All three agreed that more resources need to be devoted to keeping children safe when on the Internet. Wheat said more than three or four law enforcement officers across the state need to be "patrolling the Internet highways" and that he would create a child predator unit within the attorney general's office to coordinate resources.

"We need to enhance what the Department of Justice has," Bullock said.

Another question dealt with constitutional rights at the state and federal levels and focused on the Patriot Act, the death penalty and the right to bear arms an issue important to many Montanans.

Parker, Wheat and Bullock unequivocally endorsed the right to bear arms and questioned the Patriot Act's effect on civil liberties, but the issue of the death penalty provided the most difference of opinion. Wheat opposed the death penalty because he says there are no guarantees a person sentenced to die is always guilty, and that it costs vast amounts of money to prosecute.

Parker, on the other hand, said he is in support of the death penalty in Montana because it provides a very narrow set of guidelines and acts as a "credible deterrent" to criminals. Bullock said it is the duty of the attorney general to support it -- if it is Montana law -- but that it is an issue worth looking into.

In a question provided by an audience member, the candidates discussed whether the state should intervene on issues when state statutes are violated, such as the closing of roads and waterways by landowners.

Wheat said it is the attorney general's obligation to intervene as the "lawyer for the people of Montana." Bullock said there are times when the attorney general should intervene and times when he should take a case over entirely.

Parker said the context of the case plays an important role in the attorney general's involvement, such as intervening on the federal level to protect Montanans.

"He can and should weigh in to preserve the rights of Montanans," he said.

The attorney general is the state's top legal and law enforcement officer and directs the Department of Justice. The Republican candidates are Lee Bruner, of Butte, and Tim Fox, of Clancy. The June 3 primary will decide which two candidates will run for the position.