Will North Dakota become the next state to adopt “permitless” carry? House Bill 1169 passed out of the state Senate 34-13 Tuesday and now sits on the desk of Gov. Doug Burgum for consideration.
Republican state Rep. Rick Becker is the sponsor of the legislation, and he celebrated the vote on his Facebook page: “This is a huge victory for liberty here in North Dakota. The legislature has reaffirmed the true intent of the Second Amendment.”
The passage of HB 1169 would do away with the permit requirement for law-abiding residents to carry concealed firearms. With Burgum’s signature, North Dakota would join the ranks of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, Wyoming and West Virginia—all of which do not require permits for law-abiding citizens to practice the right of self-defense.
A spokesman for the pro-gun governor says he hasn’t indicated which way he’s leaning on the measure. Mike Nowatzki was quoted in the U.S. News & World Report as saying, “He hasn't seen the bill and won't make a decision until he receives it.”
