Beginning August 1, 2023, North Dakota will be a constitutional carry state for both residents and non-residents of the state. This change was made on April 12, 2023 when Governor Doug Burgum signed HB 1339, allowing non-residents the ability to concealed carry under North Dakota’s permitless carry laws. It will also remove the 30-day requirement for IDs.

The state has a shall-issue policy for the application of gun permits, and if you meet all requirements provided by its gun law, your permit application will be accepted. Law enforcement of the state is in charge of processing gun permits. Anyone believed to pose a danger to themself or others will not be issued a permit. The state attorney general is in charge of issuing concealed carry licenses.

To purchase firearms from gun shows and private dealers in the state, you do not need to complete a background check or have your gun registered.

Possession of Firearms in North Dakota

There is no constitutional carry for open carry in North Dakota. You must own a state concealed gun license and must have lived in the state for a minimum of 1 year. However, the state still allows residents without a gun license to open carry firearms between an hour before sunrise and an hour before sunset. However, the condition for a non-license open carry is that the firearm must be completely visible and unloaded. North Dakota’s minimum age requirement to open carry is 18. For non-residents to open carry in the state, they must have a gun permit from another state that North Dakota allows its permit. The state laws also have some restrictions for places where you may not possess gun laws in North Dakota.

Adults that have lived in the state for more than one year and do not have any state and federal prohibition for firearm possession are allowed to perform a constitutional concealed carry in North Dakota. However, whenever they are in possession of a firearm, they are obliged to be with either a state identification card or a driver’s license. Also, they must inform a law enforcement officer about their possession of a firearm when accosted by one. Non-residents with permits from states that have reciprocity with North Dakota are allowed to conceal carry within North Dakota’s territory. The state restriction for locations prohibited from the possession of firearms remains the same for concealed carry.

There are 2 types of concealed licenses issued in North Dakota, known as class 1 and class 2 licenses. Both licenses can be used in North Dakota, however, class 1 licenses require more firearm training so you can use them in more states than the class 2 licenses.

Both licenses require a certification from a firearm training approved by the state. Residents and non-residents that own a permit from their state may be allowed to apply for gun licenses in North Dakota. Also, military personnel stationed in the state are allowed to apply for gun licenses. North Dakota will allow valid permits from every other state in the US that accepts its own permit.

You can possess firearms in a private car if you have a North Dakota pistol license. Non-residents that carry firearms in cars must have a pistol license from a state that North Dakota recognizes. According to gun laws of the state, you can possess firearms in North Dakota with a pistol license from the state or any of the states that it recognizes.

If you have a North Dakota pistol license or any one from a state that it recognizes, you can possess firearms in parks, forests, and Wildlife management areas. Also, if you are a North Dakota permit licensee or a holder of any out-of-state permit that it recognizes, you can conceal carry firearms in the eatery area of a restaurant and bar venture, except there is signage prohibiting such.

North Dakota does not have gun laws restricting the possession of firearms in hotels. Hotel management can develop policies for the regulation of firearms on their premises. Therefore, you can visit hotel websites for more information about their rules and regulations.

It is a prohibition for an employer to prevent employees, customers, or any visitor from legally possessing firearms in a private vehicle in a parking lot, especially if the invitee is lawfully present on the premises. But this does not include parking areas of schools, correctional facilities, and premises of homeland and national defense.

Places Where you cannot Possess Firearms in North Dakota

North Dakota gun laws restrict the possession of firearms in some locations of the state.

  • You are not allowed to possess firearms during professional sporting events.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in churches or during church events, except you have permission from those in charge.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in buildings and venues meant for public operations.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms on Capitol grounds and their buildings.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in places used for the production and consumption of alcoholic liquids.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in any place if you are under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms on bingo gaming sites.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in state game refuges and Wildlife Management Areas.
  • You are not allowed to possess firearms in places where federal laws of the state prohibit the possession of firearms.

Application of Gun Licenses in North Dakota

To apply for any of the licenses submits the required documents to the Bureau of Criminal Inspection. The documents are a copy of your state-issued driver’s license or ID card, two copies of your colored passports, two fingerprints cards, and your paycheck. All documents can be sent via mail. You will get mail to notify you of an approved or denied permit.

You must complete a recognized North Dakota firearm training conducted by a certified instructor in the state. If you are a class one applicant, you must take part in classroom training for firearm safety rules according to state laws of North Dakota. You will also be required to sit for the open-book test. You can do this through certification from a licensed instructor, taking part in a shooting competition in the event of training, providing licenses from other states, or proof of firearm training during military service. For class two applicants, the only requirement is to pass the open-book test.

The permit is valid for five years; after which you have to do a renewal. You can start the renewal application six months before the expiration of your license. the price for the Application of a permit in North Dakota is sixty dollars, and the processing period is sixty days.

You have to complete the application before the expiry date, there are no late or incomplete applications. If your license expires, it becomes invalid and you have to apply for a new one all over again

Requirements for the Application of Gun Permits in North Dakota

To apply for gun permits in North Dakota, you have to qualify by meeting all application requirements provided by the state. Failure to do so will result in a rejected application.

  • You must be at least eighteen years old before you apply for a class two license, and twenty-one years old before you apply for a class one license.
  • You must be a citizen or a legal permanent resident of the United States.
  • You must not be illegally unable to possess a firearm or any other CCW.
  • You must complete a North Carolina concealed carry permit class for firearm training, according to the requirements of the state.
  • You must not have a court order prohibiting you from the possession of firearms.
  • You must pass the criminal background check conducted by the FBI
  • You must not be a convict of a felony.
  • You must not be a convict of any crime that is violent related.
  • You must not be a convict for any crime that has to do with the use of alcohol for ten years before the North Dakota concealed carry permit application.
  • You must not be a convict for any misdemeanor charge that has to do with the use of drugs or any substance controlled by The Drug Enforcement Agency, for ten years before application.
  • You must not be a convict for any domestic assault violence.
  • You must not be mentally impaired according to any court, except you have a canceled verdict.
  • You must meet all other federal law that has to do with the permit application.

Is Constitutional Carry North Dakota Prohibited in Some Parts of the States?

The state legislature fully preempts gun laws in North Dakota. Counties, municipalities, districts, and local government areas are prohibited from regulations and enactment of gun laws that will prohibit the possession, transportation, licensing, sales, and purchase of firearms and ammunition.

This means permitless carry North Dakota is the same in all regions of the state.

Additional Resources

North Dakota Gun Laws
North Dakota Concealed Carry Laws
North Dakota Open Carry Laws
North Dakota Gun Permit Laws

Get Your
Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
Online In Minutes

About the Author

Follow me


{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}