HB 1350 Summary

• Amends criminal code definitions in North Dakota Century Code sections relating to dangerous weapons, firearms, explosives, and destructive devices with clarifications and additions to existing definitions.

• Strengthens mandatory prison sentencing for armed offenders by requiring imprisonment without parole when a firearm-prohibited person possesses a dangerous weapon, explosive, destructive device, or firearm while committing certain felonies; minimum sentences are four years for class AA, A, or B felonies and two years for class C felonies.

• Expands the definition of "dangerous weapon" in the weapons code to include knives with blades of five inches or more, throwing stars, and nunchaku, while excluding self-defense sprays and non-projectile stun devices for lawful users.

• Modifies firearm possession prohibitions to apply to persons convicted of felonies involving violence or intimidation, with a 10-year prohibition for violent felonies and 5-year prohibition for other felonies committed while armed.

• Passed the House 93-0 and Senate 45-2 in the 2023 legislative session.