North Dakota Governor Signs Bill Allowing Armed First Responders at Rural Schools

North Dakota Governor Signs Bill Allowing Armed First Responders at Rural Schools

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill Wednesday allowing North Dakota schools—mostly rural campuses—to develop plans for an “armed first responder.”

  • By Jessica Davis
  • April 12, 2019

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill Wednesday allowing North Dakota schools—mostly rural campuses—to develop plans for an “armed first responder.”

House Bill 1332 allows schools that either do not have a school resource officer or are located far from law enforcement to work with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to develop a plan for an “armed first responder.” According to the bill, “qualified individuals” would be able to carry “a concealed firearm on school property”.

The armed first responder cannot be a staff member with direct supervision of students. The bill also outlines required training.

The Senate made changes to the bill to make a school’s safety plan a confidential record.

According to Rep. Pat Heinert, who brought the bill after a similar bill failed during the 2017 session, the bill does not require armed responders on campuses. Instead, it serves as an option for schools, mostly rural ones.

The bill will take effect August 1.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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