Beefing Up ND Gun Laws: Should Convicted Felons Possess Firearms?
One North Dakota lawmaker wants to prevent convicted felons from possessing firearms.
Republican Representative Blair Thoreson of Fargo is introducing a bill that will beef up gun restoration laws.
Thoreson says the bill would only apply to someone who has been convicted of a violent felony.
The shooting that killed Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer has pushed lawmakers into action.
Looking back at the criminal past of Marcus Schumacher, who was convicted of negligent homicide back in 1988, current state laws did not disqualify him from having his gun rights restored.
That is something Thoreson is trying to change.
“If a person who has this violent conviction is in our community, they should be prevented from having a gun. They have already done something to hurt another individual or human. We don’t want to see that happen once again,” said State Representative Blair Thoreson of Fargo.
Thoreson is introducing a bill that will cause violent convicted felons to lose weapon rights for life.
Almost everyone I was out talking to says it’s a step in the right direction.
“I’m very happy that some steps are being made, and I’m very happy that they help both Moszer and the other party,” said Virginia Robertsdahl of Fargo.
“When it comes to convicted felons, and them acquiring fire arms, there should definitely be a better screening process,” said Riley Mac of Fargo.
“Violent history should be restricted on buying firearms; killed a police officer, and I think you got to do something to control that,” said Brian Quigley of Fargo.
Thoreson says the bill is currently in the drafting stages.
“Many different pieces to the puzzle were kind of just in the initial stages. Hopefully we will have more information later on this year to tell people whats going to be introduced in 2017,” said Thoreson.
Thoreson says drafting and proposing the bill will be at least a 12 to 18 month process.
North Dakota lawmakers aren’t due to meet again until 2017.
