23.0027.01000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1479
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Cory, Christensen, Dyk, Koppelman, M. Ruby
Senators Boehm, Clemens, Larsen, Luick, Magrum, Paulson
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 62.1-01 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to restrictions on the possession, use, and manufacture of knives; and to
3 amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 62.1-01-01 of the North Dakota Century Code,
4 relating to the definition of dangerous weapon.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
6 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 1 of section 62.1-01-01 of the North Dakota
7 Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
8 1. "Dangerous weapon" includes any switchblade or gravity knife, machete, scimitar,
9 stiletto, sword, dagger, or knife with a blade of five inches [12.7 centimeters] or more;
10 any throwing star, nunchaku, or other martial arts weapon; any billy, blackjack, sap,
11 bludgeon, cudgel, metal knuckles, or sand club; any slungshot; any bow and arrow,
12 crossbow, or spear; any weapon that will expel, or is readily capable of expelling, a
13 projectile by the action of a spring, compressed air, or compressed gas, including any
14 such weapon, loaded or unloaded, commonly referred to as a BB gun, air rifle, or CO2
15 gun; and any projector of a bomb or any object containing or capable of producing and
16 emitting any noxious liquid, gas, or substance. "Dangerous weapon" does not include
17 a spray or aerosol containing CS, also known as ortho-chlorobenzamalonitrile; CN,
18 also known as alpha-chloroacetophenone; or other irritating agent intended for use in
19 the defense of an individual, nor does the term include a device that uses voltage for
20 the defense of an individual, unless the device uses a projectile and voltage or the
21 device uses a projectile and may be used to apply multiple applications of voltage
22 during a single incident, then the term includes the device for an individual who is
23 prohibited from possessing a firearm under this title.
Page No. 1 23.0027.01000
 Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly
1 SECTION 2. A new section to chapter 62.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
2 and enacted as follows:
3 Limitation on authority of political subdivision regarding knives.
4 1. As used in this section "knife" means a cutting instrument with a sharpened or pointed
5 blade.
6 2. A political subdivision may not enact any ordinance, rule, or tax relating to the
7 transportation, possession, carry, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, devise, licensure,
8 registration, or use of a knife or knifemaking components. All such existing rules or
9 ordinances are void.
10 3. A political subdivision may not enact any rule or ordinance relating to the manufacture
11 of a knife which is more restrictive than any rule or ordinance relating to the
12 manufacture of any other commercial good. All such existing rules or ordinances are
13 void.
Page No. 2 23.0027.01000


Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 62.1-01-01