North Dakota gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes, for eligible adults 18+
18+ with a valid home-state license/ID and not prohibited; applies in North Dakota only.
Open carry: Generally, a handgun may be carried only unloaded and in plain view or secured (NDCC 62.1-03-01(1)). That limit doesn't apply to concealed weapons licensees, to residents who aren't prohibited from a class 2 license and have a valid driver's license or ID (permitless carry), to people with reciprocity, or on your own land or residence. Source
Permits: North Dakota permit guide

Vehicle transport

A loaded firearm may not be kept or carried in a motor vehicle, including off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles (an infraction). Exceptions include concealed weapons licensees and people with reciprocity (NDCC 62.1-02-10). Source

Places where carry is banned

Schools and school events on school property, churches and places of worship, and publicly owned or operated buildings (NDCC 62.1-02-05); the alcohol-sales or consumption area of liquor establishments and bingo gaming sites (62.1-02-04). Not a complete list. Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban

Duty to inform

Not confirmed. Check with North Dakota Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).

Red-flag law

No extreme risk protection order law.

Reciprocity

North Dakota recognizes permits from states that recognize North Dakota's; Class 1 has broader reciprocity than Class 2.

The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether North Dakota honors your permit

Sources

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.