ND: House Passes Constitutional Carry 83-9

North Dakota has passed a “permitless” or Constitutional carry bill in the House. The bill had very strong support, passing 83-9, with two representatives not voting. From nd.gov:

11th Order – Final Passage House Measures – HB1169 – Energy and Natural Resources – Do Pass – Votes Required 48: PASSED – Yea 83 Nay 9 N/V 2 Exc 0

For a Constitutional carry bill, the legislation is fairly complicated, as it removews various restrictions in ten pages. It applies only to North Dakota residents. Residency may be shown by displaying a North Dakota picture ID that was issued at least a year previously.  The bill includes a “duty to inform” provision that requires people carrying concealed weapons to inform police that they are armed, during police interactions.

North Dakota is a “shall issue” concealed carry permit state, with over 10% of the adult population having concealed carry permits. The permit fee, at $10, is one of the lowest in the nation.

North Dakota is one of 25 political trifectas in the United States, where the Republican party has control of both houses of the legislature and the governorship.  In North Dakota, Republicans have 38 seats in the Senate, Democrats have 9.  In the House, Republicans have 81 seats, Democrats have 13.

The Constitutional carry bill, HB 1169, will have to pass the Senate and either be signed by Governor Dick Burgum, or have the legislature override a veto, for the bill to become law.  It has been reported that similar bills have been killed in the Senate. From kvrr.com:

The Senate has killed a similar measure in the past two sessions.

Internet searches did not show a similar bill in 2015 or earlier.

Governor Dick Burgum was elected in 2016, replacing fellow Republican Jack Dalrymple.   Internet searches did not find any statements either in support or opposition to Constitutional carry.

Governor Burgum was asked about guns during his campaign.  From grandforksherald.com:

He said guns are a part of his lifestyle. “I don’t want it to come across as cliche that I’ve been a lifetime hunter, but it’s where to start,” he said. “I own a bunch of guns myself. I’m grandfathered in because I’m old enough, but when my youngest son was going through gun safety a few years ago, I went with him.”

It is difficult to pass legislation, by design.  Most bills never become law. HB 1169 in North Dakota has a good start. The state could join the Constitutional carry club in 2017.

©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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