NY Daily News:
North Dakotans will no longer need a permit to carry a concealed weapon after Republican Governor Doug Burgum signed legislation lifting restrictions, a victory for gun rights advocates that came a week after South Dakota’s governor vetoed a similar bill.
The law, which takes effect on Aug. 1, mandates that gun owners only need a North Dakota driver’s license or state identification card for at least a year before they can carry a concealed firearm in public.
Under current regulations, applicants must take a test to obtain a permit which entails fees of more than $100.
The measure, signed late on Thursday, was approved by the Republican-controlled legislature despite concerns over public safety if the state made it easier to carry hidden weapons. Advocates framed the issue in terms of the constitutional right to bear arms.
“North Dakota has a rich heritage of hunting and a culture of deep respect for firearm safety,” Burgum said. “As a hunter and gun owner myself, I strongly support gun rights for law-abiding citizens.”
The legislation makes North Dakota the 12th state to allow gun owners to carry their weapons without a concealed-carry permit, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which opposes the practice.
Good for North Dakotans. Now, some enterprising reader could prepare an FOIA request (or perhaps it doesn’t even require that?) and research violence with guns in North Dakota over the next several months and years to see what happens.
Here’s a prediction. Nothing. Except a loss in revenue by CLEOs for their new Dodge Chargers, rifles, fancy comms gear and SWAT training.
So what’s the holdup in South Carolina? Why are we having to wait for this? Are you guys in South Carolina going to prove yourselves to be communists by letting constitutional carry die in the House or Senate? And what about North Carolina? We have a constitutional carry bill too.
See, it’s possible to be lovers of liberty. You just have to have courage and principles.
