A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 62.1-04-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to producing a license to carry a concealed firearm upon request from a law enforcement officer; and to provide a penalty.
Summary
HB 1296 would have amended North Dakota’s concealed-carry identification law to require a person carrying a concealed firearm or dangerous weapon to produce, on request of a law enforcement officer, either the physical concealed-carry license or a digital image of the license on an electronic device. The bill also clarifies that failure to provide the license or digital image would be prima facie evidence that the person is illegally carrying concealed. In addition, it updates related provisions for individuals carrying under North Dakota’s permitless concealed-carry authority, requiring them to inform an officer about the concealed firearm during a traffic stop or other in-person contact if the officer asks about it, and to carry a valid driver’s license or nondriver identification card, or a digital image of that ID, for inspection upon request.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would have modified Section 62.1-04-04 of the North Dakota Century Code by expanding the acceptable form of concealed-carry documentation to include a digital image and by reinforcing law enforcement inspection authority during encounters with armed individuals. It would have affected concealed-carry permit holders, permitless concealed-carry individuals, and law enforcement officers by setting clearer compliance obligations and creating a noncriminal $20 penalty for violations. Because the bill failed on House second reading, no change was made to current state law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have had limited legislative support and ultimately failed decisively in the House, with 21 yeas and 71 nays on second reading. The lack of committee transcript material suggests there was no recorded public committee debate in the provided materials, but the floor vote indicates broad opposition or insufficient support to advance the measure. Overall, the sentiment reflected in the vote was negative toward the proposal.
Contention
The main points of contention likely centered on the bill’s expansion of police authority to demand concealed-carry documentation and the requirement that armed individuals disclose possession of a concealed firearm during certain law-enforcement contacts when asked. Supporters likely viewed the measure as a clarification and modernization of existing concealed-carry rules by allowing digital licenses and improving officer safety and verification. Opponents likely objected to the added compliance burden on lawful gun owners, the potential for increased police encounters or enforcement discretion, and the use of a prima facie presumption tied to failure to produce documentation.
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 62.1-04-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to producing a license to carry a concealed firearm upon request from a law enforcement officer; and to provide a penalty.
Dangerous weapons, the possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon at a public gathering, testing for a license to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon concealed, and producing a concealed carry license upon request; and to provide a penalty.
AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 62.1-01-01, section 62.1-02-05, subdivision d of subsection 1 of section 62.1-04-03, and section 62.1-04-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to dangerous weapons, the possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon at a public gathering, testing for a license to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon concealed, and producing a concealed carry license upon request; and to provide a penalty.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 62.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a publicly owned or operated building; and to amend and reenact section 62.1-02-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a public gathering.
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 62.1-02-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a church or place of worship.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 62.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to law enforcement agency and concealed weapon test administrator certifications and firearm proficiency qualification course records; and to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 62.1-01-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to standards for qualification in firearms training for retired officers.