Gun laws in North Dakota


Gun laws in North Dakota regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of North Dakota in the United States.

Summary table


Subject/LawLong GunsHandgunsRelevant StatutesNotes
State permit required to purchase?NoNo
Firearm registration?NoNo
Owner license required?NoNo
License required for concealed carry?N/ANoNorth Dakota is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. Permitless concealed carry effective August 1, 2017. Class 1 & 2 permits will still be available. Permit still required to carry openly.
License required for open carry?NoYesOpen carry of long guns is generally permitted. Open carry of a loaded handgun is permitted only by individuals with a valid concealed weapons license. Non permit holders may carry one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset provided the firearm is unloaded and in plain sight.
State preemption of local restrictions?YesYes
Assault weapon law?NoNo
Magazine Capacity Restriction?NoNo
NFA weapons restricted?NoNoNFA-compliant automatic firearms must be registered with the county sheriff and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Binary triggers are not considered machine guns.
Shall Certify?YesYesShall certify within 30 days.
Background checks required for private sales?NoNo

Concealed carry

North Dakota is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation shall issue a concealed weapon permit to a qualified applicant. The applicant must pass a written exam and submit an application to the local law enforcement agency, which conducts a local background check before forwarding the application to the BCI. The permit is valid for five years. A concealed weapon permit is required when transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Concealed carry is not allowed in the part of an establishment that is set aside for the retail sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Concealed carry is allowed in the restaurant part of a liquor establishment if an individual under twenty-one years of age is not prohibited in that part of the establishment. Concealed carry is also not allowed, unless permitted by local law, at a school, church, sporting event, or public building.

Constitutional concealed carry

On March 23, 2017, a bill permitting constitutional carry was signed by Governor Burgum. As of August 1, 2017, people carrying concealed without a concealed weapons license will need to carry a form of state-issued photo ID, must be a North Dakota resident for at least 1 year, must inform police about their handgun upon contact, and must not otherwise be prohibited from possessing a firearm by law. The existing concealed weapons licenses, Class 1 & 2, will continue to be available to allow cross state reciprocity. Open carry of a loaded handgun will still require a permit. Carrying in a vehicle was originally thought of as requiring a permit but Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion interpreting the law as allowing for constitutional carry within vehicles. This was codified in 2019.

Other laws

North Dakota has state preemption of firearms laws. No political subdivision may enact any ordinance relating to the purchase, sale, ownership, transfer of ownership, possession, registration, or licensure of firearms and ammunition which is more restrictive than state law.
Firearms manufacturers, distributors, and sellers are not liable for any injury suffered because of the use of a firearm by another. However, they may be sued for breach of contract or warranty, or for defects or negligence in design or manufacture.
Firearm buyback programs are prohibited by state law.