ND Attorney General Tells Lawmakers to Kill Gun Rights Bill - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

ND Attorney General Tells Lawmakers to Kill Gun Rights Bill

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says a gun rights bill needs to be killed.

Stenehjem along with law enforcement from across the state are opposing House Bill 1183.

The bill forbids state and local law enforcement from providing aid or assistance to the federal government for the enforcement, prosecution or investigation of any new federal firearm laws.

Those opposed to the bill say it will jeopardize the relationship between local and federal officers.

Bill sponsors say the bill seeks to protect gun owners in North Dakota from federal gun bans.

Representative Bette Grande of Fargo says, "to tell our citizens what guns to own and how many bullets they need is this where we want to be going? I disagree with that. The people of ND have the right to bear arms whether we act or not. But we as legislators and law enforcement upholding our oath and if we fail to protect our citizens have we done our jobs?"

"It appears to me that maybe this is ND's version of overreacting and I encourage you to consider the wisdom of enacting this kind of legislation. There have been no federal legislation enacted that make this legislation mean anything," says Stenehjem.

Stenehjem says he will fight the federal government if a law is enacted that violates North Dakotan's constitutional rights.