Fairfax, VA. -- North Dakota Governor John Hoeven signed the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Castle Doctrine” bill (HB1319) this week, bringing common sense self-defense protections to law-abiding residents of North Dakota.
“Governor Hoeven's signature makes North Dakota the seventeenth state to adopt ‘Castle Doctrine’ legislation into law,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “This is a common sense measure that gives victims the option of defending themselves and removes any mandate of forcible retreat set either in state statute or in case law.”
The “Castle Doctrine” bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support. It passed the Senate on March 23 by a 44-2 margin, and in the House on April by a margin of 80-13. The legislation states that if a criminal breaks into your occupied home, your vehicle or your place of business, you may use any manner of force against that person and do not have a “duty to retreat” if threatened with great bodily harm or death. The bill also provides protection for persons using force authorized by law from liability for injuring their criminal attackers.
Rep. Todd Porter (R-34) was the principal sponsor in the House and Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-17) was the lead in the Senate.
“On behalf of thousands of NRA members in North Dakota, I want to thank the North Dakota State Legislature and Gov. Hoeven for their support in passing this important bill into law,” concluded Cox. “The Castle Doctrine bill is about putting the law back on the side of the victim, instead of the criminal.”
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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.
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