North Dakota Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does North Dakota have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. North Dakota does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. North Carolina does not require background checks for private transfers. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply to all licensed dealer sales. |
| Is North Dakota a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. ND has Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections under state law. |
| What kind of restrictions does North Dakota have? |
|
| Does North Dakota have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No general safe storage law, though negligent child access may be penalized. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in North Dakota? | ✅ Yes. No state-imposed limits on purchase quantity. |
| Does North Dakota have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. ND does not have Extreme Risk Protection Orders. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in North Dakota? | 🚫 No. Registration is not required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Purchase permits are not required. |
| Does North Dakota have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period. |
🚫 No. North Dakota does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. North Carolina does not require background checks for private transfers.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply to all licensed dealer sales.
✅ Yes. ND has Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine protections under state law.
- ℹ️ Permitless open & concealed carry for 18+ (constitutional carry since August 2017)
- ℹ️ No waiting period
- ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits
⚠️ No general safe storage law, though negligent child access may be penalized.
✅ Yes. No state-imposed limits on purchase quantity.
🚫 No. ND does not have Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Registration is not required.
🚫 No. Purchase permits are not required.
🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does North Dakota allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone aged 18 and older. |
| Does North Dakota allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal only with a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP); no permitless concealed carry. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public areas, vehicles, and private property with permission. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, and areas posted “no firearms.” |
| States honored? | ✅ ND honors permits from states with reciprocity agreements. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ ND concealed carry permits are recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges cover only firearms, primarily handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional only. ND issues concealed carry permits, but they’re not required for in‑state carry.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone aged 18 and older.
✅ Legal only with a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP); no permitless concealed carry.
✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit.
✅ Most public areas, vehicles, and private property with permission.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, and areas posted “no firearms.”
✅ ND honors permits from states with reciprocity agreements.
✅ ND concealed carry permits are recognized in:
- Arizona
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Montana
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges cover only firearms, primarily handguns.
ℹ️ Optional only. ND issues concealed carry permits, but they’re not required for in‑state carry.
- Concealed carry permits, both Class 1 and Class 2, are issued by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI)
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
North Dakota Leadership
- Born: October 8, 1976 (Dickinson, ND)
- Term Started: December 15, 2024
- Previous Role: Former U.S. Representative for North Dakota’s at-large district
- Born: March 13, 1957 (Bismarck, ND)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2011
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry
- Born: January 21, 1961 (Rolla, ND)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2019
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Environment and Public Works
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Veterans’ Affairs