North Dakota Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes, On April 12, 2023, Governor Doug Burgum signed HB 1339, allowing both residents and non-residents the ability to concealed carry under North Dakota's permitless carry laws. It will also remove the 30-day requirement for IDs. 

[N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-03-01(2)(a)]

North Dakota is a shall-issue state.

Yes. Under North Dakota law, “dangerous weapon” includes any switchblade or gravity knife, machete, scimitar, stiletto, sword, dagger, or any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer.

Yes, defensive sprays are exempt from the definition of “dangerous weapons" and therefore you do not need a concealed weapon license to carry those items concealed (e.g., in a purse or bag, under clothing, under the vehicle seat or in the vehicle’s glove box) within North Dakota.

[N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-01-01][N.D. Atty Genl Information Page]

No. There are no restricted handgun ammo types in North Dakota.

Yes, under permitless concealed carry for residents and for non-residents with a resident permit from states that North Dakota recognizes. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in North Dakota.

[State Forest Guide][N.D.Admin. Code § 30-04-02-05] [N. D. Cent. Code § 62.1-02-05.2.i]

North Dakota statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Yes, under permitless concealed carry for residents and for non-residents with a resident permit from states that North Dakota recognizes.

[N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-02-05.2.k]

No, however the information is available to the courts.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws relating to the purchase, sale, ownership, possession, transfer of ownership, registration, or licensure of firearms and ammunition in North Dakota.  Based on the passage of HB 1248 on April 27, 2021, all such existing municipal ordinances are void and an individual may bring a civil action against a political subdivision for damages as a result of an unlawful ordinance.

[N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-01-03]

No. North Dakota does not recognize "No Weapons Allowed" signs.

Yes, for those that have a concealed carry permit from their home state, which must have reciprocity with North Dakota. The process is the same as for residents.

Although in the Game, Fish & Predators section of the ND Century Code, no person may be afield at any time, with a gun or other firearm while intoxicated or under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs.

[N.D. Cent. Code § 20.1-01-06]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No. A special permit is not required for buying a handgun in North Dakota.

Yes. ​

No. Handguns do not need to be registered in North Dakota.

Yes. A concealed carry license is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a handgun on the person's land, or in that individual's permanent or temporary residence, or fixed place of business.

[N.D. Cent. Code 62.1-03-01]

An applicant must

• Be at least age 18 for a Class 2 license; age 21 for a Class 1 license;
• Be a resident of North Dakota; OR on full-time active military duty stationed in ND; OR a resident of a state that has reciprocity with North Dakota and who possesses a valid concealed weapon license in their home state;
• Have successfully completed the training requirements;
• Not be an individual specified in section 62.1-02-01 and for a class 1 firearm license the applicant must:
  • Not have been convicted of a felony;
  • Not have been convicted of a crime of violence;
  • Not have been convicted of an offense involving the use of alcohol within 3 years prior to the date of application;
  • Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving the unlawful use ofnarcotics or other controlled substances within 10 years prior to the date ofapplication;
  • Not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude;
  • Not have been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence;
  • Not have been adjudicated by a state or federal court as mentally incompetent,unless the adjudication has been withdrawn or reversed; and
  • Be qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under federal law; and

• Satisfactorily complete the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) application form and successfully pass the criminal history records check conducted by the BCI and FBI. This includes information on any court-ordered treatment or commitment for mental health, alcohol or substance abuse.The applicant shall provide the director of the BCI written authorizations for disclosure of the applicant's mental health and alcohol or substance abuse evaluation and treatment records. The bureau may deny approval for a license if the bureau has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant or licensee has been or is a danger to self or others as demonstrated by evidence, including past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence; past participation in incidents involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence; or conviction of a weapons offense. In determining whether the applicant or licensee has been or is a danger to self or others, the bureau may inspect expunged or sealed records of arrests and convictions of adults and juvenile court records.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of North Dakota.

Initial licenses and renewals:  $60

60 days

Class 1/Class 2 Licenses

The only difference between a Class 1 license and a Class 2 license is reciprocity.Both licenses are equally valid within North Dakota, but because of additional testing requirements, the holders of a Class 1 license have reciprocity in many more states than those who hold a Class 2 license.

Note: An individual who has a valid Class 2 license may apply to upgrade to a Class 1 license within 5 years from the date the Class 2 license was issued, by completing the additional testing requirements of a Class 1 license and submitting an application form along with the $60 application fee and required documents.

By law, you must notify the BCI of a change of address. Mail a letter with your full legal name, date of birth, old address and new address, and the effective date of the new address to:

For security reasons, the BCI can only accept a change of address notification received by mail.

If you would like a replacement license with your new address, you must send in the old license with your address change letter. If you do not send in the old license, the BCI will not issue an updated license. You are not required to get an updated license - your license is still valid even if it has your old address. If you send in your license to have it updated, you cannot carry concealed until you receive the updated license. Please allow 2 - 3 weeks for the updated license to be issued.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? You can concealed carry in the restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol, unless posted. However, concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes, for an individual who is not otherwise precluded from possessing a class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license under chapter 62.1-04 and who has been a resident for at least 30 days with a valid driver’s license or State ID. Non-residents must have a concealed carry permit from a state that ND honors.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes.

There is no known statute in North Dakota making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. A state statute was identified that refers to individuals concealing their identity with the intention to commit illegal acts or with intent to intimidate, however they do not address wearing a mask while legally carrying a concealed firearm.

[NDCC § 12.1-31-15(1)] 

Yes, but only if you are going to fill your gun license. No firearms, except handguns, may be in the hunter’s possession while hunting with a deer bow license. A handgun may not be used in any manner to assist in the harvest of a deer with an archery license.

[ND Game & Fish FAQ]

It is legal to own any type of knife in North Dakota. It is legal to open carry any type of knife. It is legal to conceal carry dangerous weapons with a concealed carry license. Permitless carry does not extend to knives. Dangerous weapons include any switchblade or gravity knife, machete, scimitar, stiletto, sword, dagger or any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer. A dangerous weapon is considered to be concealed if it is worn on the body or kept in a vehicle where it is within reach of the carrier and is not discernible as a weapon by ordinary observation. It is not considered to be concealed if it is locked in a trunk or luggage compartment of a vehicle, carried in a holster or case where it is wholly or substantially visible, or carried in any manner while lawfully hunting, trapping or target shooting.

Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons is prohibited at certain public events and gatherings, as well as schools and school functions. North Dakota municipalities, such as Bismark, Fargo and Grand Forks, may have additional restrictions.

[NDCC §§ 62.1-01-01, 62.1-02-04, 62.1-02-05, 62.1-04-01 & 62.1-04-02]