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Bill will allow ‘green card’ holders to obtain firearm IDs
Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan) prefiled on Friday a bill that would, among other things, include U.S. lawful permanent residents or “green card” holders among those who are allowed to obtain firearm identification cards in the CNMI.
Under Leon Guerrero’s bill, in addition to being a bona fide resident of the CNMI, a person cannot receive a firearm identification card unless he or she is one of the following: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. lawful permanent resident, more commonly known as “green card” holder.
A bona fide resident of the CNMI means a person whose place of general abode or principal or actual dwelling is in the CNMI.
Leon Guerrero’s House Bill 18-193 also identifies the requirements for the issuance of a firearm dealer license under the Commonwealth Weapons Control Act.
The bill, co-sponsored by five other House members, also criminalizes the transport or possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a felony in the CNMI, or any other state, District of Columbia, the United States, or any territory.
The Department of Public Safety has to issue a firearm dealer license for that entity to sell, lease, or transfer a firearm. A firearm dealer license is valid for one year and is non-transferable.
Upon receipt of a proper application and payment of the prescribed fee, DPS shall within 60 days issue a dealer’s license to an eligible applicant.
The applicant has to provide DPS with the names of all employees that will have access to firearms or that will be expected to handle firearms, and has to submit to a safety inspection by DPS, among other things.
Under HB 18-193, DPS may promulgate regulations that limit the number of firearm dealer licenses available on each CNMI island and concerning safe storage of firearms.
Leon Guerrero, a former DPS police officer, will formally introduce the bill at the House’s scheduled session on Thursday.
