New North Dakota gun laws have been introduced, including HB 1241, submitted by Republican state Rep. Roscoe Streyle. The main points of this bill are that it:
- Allows for suppressors for hunters
- Disallows firearms at public gatherings
- Prohibits medical personnel from asking a patient about their guns
- Makes it illegal to own or sell machine guns or automatic weapons
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Many of the North Dakota gun laws either under consideration or already on the books are in line with those of most other states. For instance, 30 states now allow hunters to use sound suppressors. In North Dakota, the suppressor can be used either on handguns or short-barreled rifles. Most states have laws in place that target specific gun use and ownership.
Only six states – California, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York – do not have state constitutional rights to bear arms laws in place.
Traditionally, many states mirrored North Dakota gun laws when it came to carrying a concealed weapon at a public gathering while others allow permitted owners to carry virtually anywhere. Because of recent shootings in public places, some states, such as Georgia, are revisiting the law and allowing weapons to be carried in more locations, so that innocent gun owners don't become victims of violent crime.
Jerry Henry, executive director of Georgia Carry, told MSNBC that the new law means, "that if you are one who likes to protect yourself, that you have a whole lot more places to protect yourself. It means that if you're a bad guy, you might want to think about going into some of those places."
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According to Infowars.com, one of the most controversial parts of the new law states that medical personnel are not allowed to ask their patients about their guns. The federal government is trying to help override this by using Medicare reimbursements as a penalty for noncompliance, forcing doctors to ask questions about gun ownership.
However, North Dakota isn't the only state trying to stop this from happening. Florida recently passed a similar law preventing doctors from asking about firearms or discussing gun safety with patients. Ten other states, in addition to North Dakota, have legislation pending regarding the same restrictions. In reaction to critics of these laws citing free speech, proponents claim that anything a doctor says is a treatment, not a speech and is therefore not protected under the First Amendment,
according to The Atlantic.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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