FARGO (KFGO) - A spokesman for the National Rifle Association says research indicates violent crime rates will not rise after North Dakota's concealed carry gun law takes effect.
Gov. Burgum signed a bill that allows most adults to carry a concealed gun without a permit. The new law will permit most people 18 and older to bypass background checks and gun classes that are now required.
The NRA's Christopher Kopacki says states with similar laws have seen no jump in violent crimes associated with handguns. “If you look at other states like Wyoming, Alaska and Arizona, we have not seen any increase in violent crime, or specifically murders associated with handguns” Kopacki said.
Critics of the new gun law are concerned it could lead to more shootings in North Dakota, but Kopacki says some states actually saw a decrease in violent crime since passing similar legislation.
About a dozen other states have similar concealed gun laws. The North Dakota law goes into effect August 1.
