Gun Rights Restoration Legislation Signed into Law in North Dakota

Yesterday, House Bill 1269 was signed into law by Governor Jack Dalrymple and will take immediate effect.

Sponsored by state Representative Karen Karls (R-35), HB 1269 will implement requirements set forth in the federal NICS Improvement Amendment Act (NIAA) of 2007.  HB 1269 will grant persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health commitment or adjudication the right to petition to have them restored.

People who have been placed under certain types of mental health-related orders are banned by federal law from possessing firearms.  The NIAA established clear standards for states to use in crafting laws to provide persons subject to these prohibitions a means of relief.  This legislation, under the guidelines established by the NIAA, will allow a court to grant relief from the federal prohibition upon a finding that the petitioner is unlikely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.

Thank you to all who contacted their elected officials in support of HB 1269!