NRA-Backed Permitless Carry Law Enacted in North Dakota

Fairfax, Va. -- The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today thanked Governor Doug Burgum and North Dakota lawmakers for adopting a new law allowing law-abiding citizens greater flexibility for defending themselves. House Bill 1169 makes North Dakota the 12^th state to adopt a permitless carry law that reduces the burden of government fees and mandates on citizens who choose to exercise their Second Amendment right to self-protection.

“This new law gives North Dakota’s law-abiding citizens greater freedom to defend themselves and their families,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA. “Criminals carry guns, regardless of the laws. Permitless carry simply puts law-abiding gun owners on equal footing.”

This reform allows North Dakotans to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. For those citizens who wish to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states, the existing permitting system remains in place.  

“On behalf of the NRA’s five-million members, I want to thank Governor Doug Burgum and Representative Rick Becker, for supporting our Second Amendment freedoms in North Dakota," added Cox. “I also want to thank our NRA members and supporters in the state who emailed and called their lawmakers in support of HB 1169. This new law gives law-abiding North Dakotans greater flexibility to defend  themselves, their homes, and their families.”     

Permitless Carry Facts:

• Permitless carry does not change prohibited person laws or any law governing the misuse of a firearm (illegal brandishing, discharge, threatening, etc.).
• Permitless carry does not change prohibited places where a firearm cannot be carried.
• Permitless carry does not change the laws relating to when force may be used in self-defense.
• Private property owners still maintain discretion over their own property, including whether and on what terms to allow firearms

Permitless carry laws do not lead to a “wild, wild west scenario” depicted by critics. There are three states that have enacted a similar law and for which sufficient public data is available for both the pre- and post-law periods: Alaska, Arizona and Wyoming.  Below are the facts for those states:

• After Alaska adopted permitless carry in 2003, there was no increase in the number of murders, including those committed with guns – including handguns.
• After Arizona adopted permitless carry in 2010, the percent of murders committed with a handgun decreased from an average of 60% per year to less than 50%. The percentage of murders committed with a gun of any type declined after the law was enacted.
• Wyoming has historically had few murders and that trend continued after permitless carry took effect in 2011.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates 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 armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.