North Dakota HB 1326 disqualifies unlawful firearm possessors from self-defense claims

Original title: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 12.1-05-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to self-defense and the unlawful possession of a firearm; and to provide a penalty.

Last action · April 2, 2025: Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 6 nays 40Sponsors: Mary Schneider and 8 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

What This Bill Proposed

North Dakota House Bill 1326 disqualifies individuals from claiming self-defense when they use a firearm while possessing it in violation of specific statutory restrictions. The measure amends section 12.1-05-03 of the North Dakota Century Code.

Why it matters

The bill changes legal protections for individuals involved in physical altercations by removing the justification of self-defense for anyone who possesses a firearm illegally at the time of the incident.

Background

House Bill 1326 was introduced during the 69th Legislative Assembly of North Dakota. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Individuals possessing firearms under restricted conditions

Individuals who possess a firearm in violation of section 62.1-02-01 lose the legal justification of self-defense if they use that firearm during an incident.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill remove self-defense rights for all gun owners?

No. It only removes the justification of self-defense for individuals who use a firearm while possessing it in violation of specific statutory restrictions outlined in section 62.1-02-01.

Can a person still resist excessive force by a public servant?

Yes. The bill maintains the exception that excessive force by a public servant may be resisted.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Failed in the Senate.

Procedural history

12 actions

Apr 2, 2025Senate
Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 6 nays 40
Apr 1, 2025SenateCommittee
Reported back, do not pass, placed on calendar 6 1 0
Mar 31, 2025SenateCommittee
Committee Hearing 11:00
Mar 7, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee
Feb 25, 2025Senate
Received from House
Feb 25, 2025HouseFloor
Second reading, passed, yeas 56 nays 35

Show 6 earlier actions

Feb 25, 2025House
Reconsidered
Feb 25, 2025House
Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 44 nays 48
Feb 21, 2025House
Laid over two legislative days
Feb 20, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 1 1
Jan 23, 2025HouseCommittee
Committee Hearing 02:00
Jan 13, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →