North Dakota Supreme Court Rules on Home Gun Sales

The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that Fargo cannot prohibit residents from selling guns and ammunition from their homes, invalidating a city ordinance that sought to restrict such sales. The court's opinion, published on December 19, upheld a 2023 state law that prevents local governments from enacting zoning ordinances related to firearms and ammunition sales. Fargo's legal challenge argued that this state law undermined its home rule powers; however, the court found the law constitutional and a valid exercise of legislative authority. The ruling affirms that without a specific state law against home sales of firearms, cities cannot impose restrictions. Fargo's ordinance also included bans on other home-based businesses but now cannot regulate gun sales specifically. This decision could have broader implications for local governance and gun control in North Dakota.