North Dakota has a strict duty to inform — you speak first
Under N.D.C.C. § 62.1-04-04(2), as amended by HB 1339 in 2023, anyone carrying concealed under permitless authority shall inform a law enforcement officer of the concealed weapon upon the initiation of a traffic stop or any other in-person contact initiated by the officer. There is no “only if asked” clause. You must also have a valid driver’s licence or non-driver ID on you — physical or digital — and produce it on request.
Worth knowing how we got here. A widely published quotation of § 62.1-04-04 says a carrier must inform only “if the officer inquires.” That was the law before 2023, and HB 1339 replaced it. We initially assumed the Attorney General’s page had gone stale and the quotation was current. We had it backwards, and only reading the enrolled bill text settled it. If you are relying on a secondary summary of this rule, check its date.
The penalty is oddly mild for how strict the rule is: a noncriminal offence with a $20 fee. In Alaska the same omission is a criminal offence. See how the six verified states compare →
North Dakota carry status overview
North Dakota is a permitless carry state, effective August 1, 2017. Any person 18 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit under N.D.C.C. § 62.1-04-02(2). Open carry is broadly permitted. Class 1 and Class 2 licences remain available from the BCI and are what other states recognise for reciprocity.
The residency requirement is gone — and this page said otherwise for three years
Until September 2026 this page carried a highlighted warning that North Dakota permitless carry was for residents only, and that non-residents needed a permit from their home state. That was true when permitless carry began in 2017, when a one-year residency requirement applied. It has not been true for years.
HB 1293 (2021) cut the residency requirement to 30 days. HB 1339 (2023) removed it entirely. We were telling lawful non-resident carriers that they could not do something North Dakota had allowed since 2023 — the error in the most inconvenient direction, stated in a yellow box for emphasis.
What still applies to everyone carrying concealed here: you must have a valid driver’s licence or state ID on you, physical or digital, and produce it to an officer on request (§ 62.1-04-04). Failing to is a noncriminal offence.
| Permitless carry | Yes — since 2017 |
| Governing law | North Dakota Century Code § 62.1-04-02 |
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Open carry | Yes — broadly permitted |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without permit |
| Permit available | Yes — North Dakota Class 1 or Class 2 Firearm License |
Permit for reciprocity
The North Dakota Class 1 or Class 2 Firearm License is available to North Dakota residents who wish to carry legally in other states. Even though no permit is needed in North Dakota, obtaining one greatly expands where you can legally carry when traveling. Apply at: https://www.ag.nd.gov/BCI/Firearms/Firearms.html ↗
Key prohibited locations
- K–12 school buildings and grounds
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Law enforcement and correctional facilities
- Secure areas of airports
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Always verify the complete prohibited locations list in North Dakota's official statutes at the official statute source.
Frequently asked questions — North Dakota
Does North Dakota require a permit to carry concealed?
No. Since 2017, any person 18+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry concealed in North Dakota without a permit. The North Dakota Class 1 or Class 2 Firearm License remains available for out-of-state reciprocity.
Is a permit worth getting in North Dakota?
Yes, especially for travelers. A North Dakota permit provides reciprocity in 30+ other states. Permits can be obtained through the state's issuing agency. Without a permit, your carry rights are limited to North Dakota and other permitless carry states.
Does North Dakota honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. North Dakota recognizes valid carry licenses from other states. Additionally, as a permitless carry state, any eligible person 18+ may carry without any permit in North Dakota.