Introduction
Over 125,000 North Dakota residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, North Dakota reported 75 homicide victims killed in domestic violence incidents from 2011 to 2020. Forty-two percent of female domestic violence victims were killed with firearms. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
North Dakota prohibits possession of firearms by persons convicted of certain misdemeanors for five years from the date of conviction or the date of release from incarceration, parole, or probation (whichever is latest) if the offense was committed while using or possessing a firearm, dangerous weapon, destructive device, or explosive. North Dakota does not prohibit purchase or possession of firearms or ammunition by persons subject to domestic violence protection orders. North Dakota does not require removal of firearms from persons subject to domestic violence protection orders; however, a court issuing an ex parte or final domestic violence protection order may require the removal of firearms.
