2011 North Dakota Legislative Session Comes to a Close

Before the North Dakota Legislature adjourned last week, two important NRA-supported bills passed and were signed into law by Governor Jack Dalrymple.  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. HB 1438 will allow North Dakota employees to keep their firearms in their car while at work.

Sponsored by state Representative Karen Karls (R-35), House Bill 1269 will implement requirements set forth in the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act (NIAA).  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.  HB 1269 went into effect immediately after it was signed into law.

Sponsored by state Representative Scott Kelsh (D-11), House Bill 1438 was an important bill for those who carry concealed or target shoot and must store their firearm during work hours as well as hunters who hunt before and after work.  HB 1438 will allow North Dakota employees to store their firearms in locked personal vehicles on publicly accessible parking lots without fear of being fired.  This bill also protects customers who have firearms locked in their private vehicles. 

This employee protection legislation passed in both chambers of the North Dakota Legislature with tremendous bipartisan support.  HB 1438 will go into effect on August 1.

Thank you to all of the NRA members who took the time to contact their North Dakota legislators this session.  Without you, these victories would not have been possible.