Many Americans see conservative states as the last frontier where freedom is more than a buzzword—it’s a way of life. But here’s the problem: leftists, dissatisfied with the mess they made of their overtaxed, crime-ridden, and heavily regulated cities, have developed a troubling habit. They flock to conservative strongholds like North Dakota, bringing their failed policies and moral decay with them. These same people, who left their cities because they were unbearable, seem intent on transforming their new homes into replicas of the very places they fled. Think of it like a swarm of locusts, consuming everything in their path and leaving nothing but destruction behind.
For a while, it looked like Fargo might become one of those places. The city’s ordinance prohibiting firearms and ammunition sales in residential zones was the latest attempt to chip away at personal liberty under the guise of “local control.” But in a victory for the Second Amendment—and sanity—the North Dakota Supreme Court struck down that ordinance in December 2024, reaffirming that state law reigns supreme over these overreaching local measures.
The Battle Begins
Fargo’s ordinance wasn’t some new initiative; it had been on the books for several years, quietly infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. But the tide began to turn during the 2023 legislative session when the North Dakota Legislature passed a law prohibiting local governments from instituting zoning regulations related to the “purchase, sale, ownership, possession, transfer of ownership, registration, or licensure of firearms and ammunition.” This wasn’t just a law—it was a lifeline for residents who saw their city slipping toward the same restrictive policies they’d expect in California or New York.
Predictably, Fargo wasn’t happy about this new state law. The city filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the law was an unconstitutional violation of “local control.” In essence, Fargo argued that its right to govern itself included the right to restrict firearms—a position that conveniently ignored the supremacy of state law and, more importantly, the U.S. Constitution.
But the courts weren’t buying it. In February 2024, a district court judge dismissed Fargo’s lawsuit, ruling that the state law didn’t violate local government rights and that Fargo’s ordinance couldn’t be enforced. That should have been the end of it. However, true to form, the city appealed the decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court, determined to keep this battle alive.
The Supreme Court Weighs In
By September 2024, both sides presented their arguments before the state’s highest court. Representing Fargo, attorney Peter Zuger leaned heavily on a “slippery slope” argument. He claimed that if the state law repealed Fargo’s ordinance, it would undermine the city’s ability to govern itself, citing a provision in the North Dakota Constitution granting political subdivisions the right to exercise “maximum local self-government.”
Now, this is a classic leftist move. Wrap your unconstitutional overreach in the language of “self-government” and hope nobody notices the hypocrisy. Fortunately, Courtney Titus, representing the state, wasn’t about to let that slide. Titus countered with a dose of logic, pointing out that the North Dakota Constitution doesn’t grant local governments complete autonomy. Instead, the state Legislature determines the scope of local law. And, as it turns out, the Legislature had already made it clear that Fargo’s ordinance was out of bounds.
On December 19, 2024, the North Dakota Supreme Court delivered its opinion, upholding the district court’s decision. The court’s opinion quoted the state constitution, stating, “Each political subdivision shall have and exercise such powers as provided by law.” Translation? Local governments only have the authority the state Legislature chooses to give them. Fargo’s ordinance was dead in the water.
A Pattern of Overreach
This whole saga is a textbook example of leftist tactics at the state and local levels. When they can’t win at the ballot box or through the legislative process, they try to rewrite the rules under the guise of “local control.” But let’s be clear: liberties guaranteed by the Constitution aren’t negotiable. You can’t just pass a local ordinance to do away with the Second Amendment, no matter how much you wish you could.
We’ve seen this same playbook used in Democrat-controlled states, where cities pass laws that blatantly infringe on constitutional rights and get away with it because there’s no one to hold them accountable. Thankfully, in places like North Dakota, there’s still a firewall—a state government willing to step in and say, “Not on our watch.”
Why This Matters
This victory isn’t just about Fargo or even North Dakota. It’s about setting a precedent that other conservative states can follow. If leftist transplants want to bring their failed policies with them, they should be met with firm resistance at every turn. The Constitution isn’t up for debate, and neither is the right of law-abiding citizens to buy and sell firearms.
Some might call this attitude combative, but maybe it’s time conservatives got a little more combative. For too long, we’ve played defense, trying to hold onto the liberties we cherish while the left pushes its agenda at every opportunity. Maybe it’s time to go on offense. If leftists don’t like it, they’re free to head back to the coasts—or anywhere else their brand of big-government tyranny is welcome.
Looking Ahead
The Fargo case is a reminder that the battle for freedom never ends. It’s easy to think that places like North Dakota are safe from the creeping influence of leftist ideology, but that’s a dangerous assumption. The truth is, no place is safe unless the people who live there are willing to fight for their rights.
And fight we must. Whether it’s at the local, state, or federal level, conservatives need to stay vigilant. When leftists try to infringe on our rights under the guise of “local control” or “common sense,” we need to push back harder than ever.
The North Dakota Supreme Court’s decision was a win, but it’s not the final battle. It’s a reminder of what’s at stake and why we can’t afford to let our guard down. Because if we do, the locusts will swarm again, bringing their policies, their agendas, and their destruction with them.
So, let this be a call to action. Stand firm. Speak out. And never, ever apologize for defending the Constitution. After all, it’s the last line of defense against the forces that would see our freedoms stripped away, one ordinance at a time.
