This is where the original topic of a thread drifted to this issue.
July 31, 2013
NEW CONCEALED WEAPON LAWS TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 1, 2013
BISMARCK, ND – The Legislature passed several bills that change the weapons and concealed weapons laws and as a result, beginning tomorrow, August 1, 2013, applicants for North Dakota’s concealed weapons licenses will notice several new procedures, announced Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
The application process has been streamlined and applications now will be mailed directly to the BCI instead of being submitted to the local law enforcement agencies. Other changes include:
• The application form has been shortened and can be downloaded and completed from the concealed weapons license page of the Attorney General’s website (http://www.ag.nd.gov).
• Additional fingerprint-based federal record and NICs checks will be conducted on all new and renewing applicants. The extra fees charged by the FBI for the federal record checks are included in the application processing fee, which increases from $45 to $60.
• Non-ND residents must have a valid concealed weapon license from their home state, which state must have reciprocity with North Dakota. The home state is determined by the driver’s license
• For a Class 1 license, the “look back” disqualifying time period for alcohol-related offenses is now limited to 10 years.
• Defense sprays and stun guns (but not Tasers) can be carried concealed without a concealed weapon license.
“The new comprehensive federal criminal record and mental health record check requirements have helped us keep reciprocity for Class 1 license holders with thirty-six states. The streamlined application process will be faster and easier for all applicants,” said Stenehjem.
New and renewal applications started after today must be submitted using the new form and procedures and the new $60 fee. The BCI will process current application forms that are delivered to local law enforcement today. The green forms are invalid beginning August 1. Applications not delivered to law enforcement today fall under the new laws, requiring the new form and processing fee. Applicants who completed testing in July will need to download and complete a new application form and mail both the new form and the old form (with the testing information) to the BCI, along with the $60 fee.
There are currently 27,219 North Dakota concealed weapons license holders.
Detailed information about the law changes, the new online application process, and a list of certified test administrators, is available online from the Attorney General’s website, at http://www.ag.nd.gov/BCI/CW/CW.htm.
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