Has “Stand Your Ground Law” In North Dakota Led To More Deaths?

On August 1, 2021, North Dakotans officially were allowed to use deadly force against intruders without first retreating.

At the time, it was considered a controversial law. Opponents of the laws claimed it would lead to more gun-related homicides. Has that been the case in North Dakota since this law went into effect? More on that in a moment.

Gun-related homicides nationally are statistically higher in states with "stand your ground laws".

This is according to Giffords, an extra 30 to 50 homicides take place every month in states that have this law.

Overall, 27 states have "stand your ground laws", and according to Robyn Thomas, Executive Director of the Giffords Law Center, this law gives trigger-happy aggressors a license to kill and is a racist policy.

A refresher on what the "stand your ground" policy is in North Dakota.

According to Inforum, North Dakotans no longer have to legally retreat before resorting to deadly force during an intrusion. People can legally protect themselves by any means necessary.

Not only in their own home or workplace to prevent a violent felony, but they may also do so in public or any other place a person is legally permitted to be if they fear their life or any other innocent life is in grave danger.

Advocates of this new law that went into effect August 1st, 2021 were happy that people have more rights for their own personal protection.

I personally agree that a person should be able to protect themselves and others at all costs. I've learned to walk away from trouble when you can but there are times when that is just not possible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad people in the world, and I will do whatever possible to protect my family.

Let's break down the numbers since this law was enacted in North Dakota.

Has the stand-your-ground law led to more gun-related deaths in North Dakota? Here are the numbers from the office of the North Dakota Attorney General.

Homicides in North Dakota over the last 5 years:

2023-A total of 23 homicides with weapons being involved in 14.

2022 (first full year of stand-your-ground law)-A total of 30 homicides with weapons being involved in 18.

2021 (stand-your-ground law started August 1st)-A total of 17 homicides with weapons being involved 13.

2020-A total of 32 homicides with weapons being involved in 15.

2019-A total of 26 homicides with weapons being involved in 10.

We have a pretty small sample size to compare with since August of 2021 and when the stand-your-ground began, but in North Dakota so far, we have NOT seen a dramatic increase in gun-related deaths in the state.

We have gone from 13 in 2021 to 18 in 2022 to 14 in 2023. I would say that is pretty stable. The numbers for 2024 should be out soon.