1/15/2019 Inbox – rob@sayanythingblog.

com
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, January 15, 2019

CONTACT:
Chris VandeVenter
(701) 328-3749

***Release***

Lawmakers, Police and School Officials Support Bill to Prevent Gun Violence
New protection order will save lives if a person is a danger to themselves or others

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – A coalition led by a Fargo legislator is advocating for legislation that would save lives by
temporarily keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-44) is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1537, which would establish Public Safety
Protection Orders. The legislation, colloquially known as "red flag" laws, exists in 13 other states, including
Indiana and Florida.

"Public Safety Protection Orders save lives by enabling people to act before warning signs escalate into
tragedies," Hanson said. "Family members and law enforcement are often the first to see signs that a person in
crisis is a threat to themselves or others. This process enables them to petition a court to remove guns from a
dangerous situation - preventing suicides, reducing peril for victims and officers during domestic violence calls,
and averting school shootings and other mass shootings."

The civil process enables law enforcement and family members to petition the court for a Public Safety
Protection Order. If there is strong evidence that the individual poses a threat or imminent danger to themselves
or others, the order temporarily prohibits someone from possessing or buying a firearm. There is robust due
process at every step.

Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner of Dickinson (R-37), a co-sponsor of the bill, said, "This process preserves
the right to own a firearm while ensuring public safety. This legislation will save lives in North Dakota."

Hanson pointed to the high suicide rate in North Dakota as one of the problems this bill will address. Suicide
rates are especially high among youth, farmers and veterans, she said.

"Since a suicidal person may have to wait to get initial behavioral health services and since therapy and
medication take time to take effect, this can put some time and distance between that person and lethal means
while they get help," Hanson said. "This is just one tool in the toolbox for addressing our behavioral health crisis
in North Dakota, but studies in other states have shown that this law can help reduce suicides."

Hanson added, "Public Safety Protection Orders are a less restrictive and less expensive solution than an
involuntary committal, which can result in a long stay in the state hospital and would prohibit a person from
owning a firearm long term."

Law enforcement officials and school safety advocates support the Public Safety Protection Order bill. The North
Dakota Chiefs Association and the North Dakota Association of School Resource Officers (NDASRO) endorsed
the bill. ND United, which represents educators and public employees, and the ND Department of Public
Instruction also support the bill.

West Fargo Police Chief Heith Janke was one of many law enforcement leaders at the capitol on Tuesday for
Law Day. "Public Safety Protection Orders would help us avert active shooter situations and prevent suicides.
They would also be an additional tool for domestic violence calls, which can be the most dangerous for officers,"
Janke said. "It fills several gaps we have today in those scenarios."
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Public Safety Protection Orders could also apply to Inbox
1/15/2019 youth in crisis. If a person is under 18, they can't legally own
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a firearm, but they may have access to one in their home. If there's evidence that a young person is exhibiting
red flags, the court could order safe storage of the firearm in the home, to prevent irreversible harm while still
respecting the rights of the firearm owner.

Hanson led a working group that wrote the bill to fit North Dakota. The working group included Chief David Todd
of Fargo Police; Chief Heith Janke of West Fargo Police; Captain Dean Haaland of the Cass County Sheriff’s
Department; Aaron Birst of the Association of Counties, representing county prosecutors across the state; Alison
Traynor, who directs injury and violence prevention for the state; Janelle Moos of CAWS, representing domestic
violence prevention; Heather Leas, representing NDASRO; and Tom Gerhart of ND United.

Nearly 40,000 people died from firearm injuries in the United States in 2017, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention -- the highest yearly total on record. That averages more than 109 deaths per
day; nearly two-thirds were suicides. North Dakota also saw an all-time high of firearm deaths with 103 deaths in
2017, with 93 of those suicides by firearm.

The hearing for HB 1537 is not yet scheduled. In addition to Hanson and Wardner, the bill's other sponsors are
Nicole Poolman of Bismarck (R-7), Sen. Judy Lee of West Fargo (R-13), Sen. Erin Oban of Bismarck (D-35),
Rep. Bernie Satrom of Jamestown (R-12), Rep. Mark Sanford of Grand Forks (R-17), Rep. Jason Dockter of
Bismarck (R-7), Rep. Austen Schauer of West Fargo (R-13) and Rep. George Keiser of Bismarck (R-47).

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Chris VandeVenter
Communications Coordinator
Dem-NPL Legislative Caucus
o: (701) 328-3749

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