The Department of Public Safety commissioner in the Northern Marianas says handguns are not constitutionally protected there.
James Deleon Guerrero says because they have never been used by law-abiding citizens for self-defence they don't enjoy Second Amendment protection in the territory.
He says the second amendment protects the right to possess handguns in the United States because of their widespread usage by people there.
Mr Guerrero is opposing a motion filed by US veteran David Radich and his wife.
The couple have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the CNMI Weapons Control Act that prohibits all residents from obtaining handguns for self-defence.
