Bismarck  (CSi)   The Democratic NPL Caucus, Communications Director, Daniel Tick issued a news release Tuesday, on behalf of District 29 Democratic State Senator, John Granbinger of Jamestown, on the narrow defeat of Senate Bill SB 2282  in the state house.

Grabinger’s statement read:

“SB 2282 is a commonsense measure that would offer older citizens an opportunity to continue participating in the sport they love, and a better chance of getting a good, clean shot, rather than a glancing or wounding shot, when hunting deer. Some folks in the great state of North Dakota still enjoy hunting with muzzleloaders and are willing to put in the time, effort and skill necessary to hunt using an antique-style firearm. These folks enjoy the sport enough to continue doing it into their golden years when, for some, the use of a scope could make a difference in helping them secure a clean shot.

 “As a young man of 53-years-old myself, who nonetheless wears bifocals, I know that allowing seniors to use scopes on muzzleloading firearms would benefit many seasoned sportsmen in North Dakota. It was encouraging to see such strong bipartisan support for this bill in the Senate, where it passed overwhelmingly, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work on this legislation, and perhaps getting it reconsidered in the House.” 

The news release goes on to say, Senator Grabinger’s bipartisan bill would allow hunters over the age of 65 to use scopes with up to 4-power magnification on muzzleloading firearms. SB 2282 passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan vote of 44 “yeas,” 2 “nays.” It was narrowly defeated in the House on a vote of 44 “yeas” and 47 “nays.”

North Dakota already allows senior sportsmen the option of using scopes on their firearms during the muzzleloading season, but only with 1-power magnification. Minnesota, on the other hand, allows individuals older than 60 to use scopes with magnification on muzzleloading firearms. Minnesota’s law does not specify a limit on the magnification power of these scopes.