Non-Resident permit · CT → ND
Is a Connecticut Non-Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?
Permit not recognized — but permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08
The permit does nothing for you in North Dakota; the state's own law does. North Dakota doesn't recognize Connecticut non-resident permits, but permitless carry for adults 18+ makes concealed carry legal for eligible adults anyway.
Why
- Connecticut is not on North Dakota's official reciprocity list.
- North Dakota allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
AG: 'North Dakota will honor a valid concealed carry license/permit (resident and non-resident) issued by a state that has agreed to recognize a North Dakota license' (NDCC 62.1-04-03.1) — the honored list above is the AG's list of states recognizing the ND Class 1 license. Separately, any adult 18+ with a valid US state/territory ID who may lawfully possess can carry permitless regardless of permits.
The permit (Connecticut)
- Permit
- State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers (Connecticut State Pistol Permit)
- Issued by
- Two-step - local police chief/chief executive officer issues a temporary state permit, then the DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit issues the state permit
- Issue policy
- May-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — A bona fide US resident with no Connecticut residence who holds a carry permit or license issued by another state or subdivision may apply directly to the DESPP commissioner for a non-resident Connecticut permit (CGS 29-28(f)); DESPP requires that non-resident applicants already hold a home-state carry permit.
The destination (North Dakota)
- Recognition policy
- Honors a named list of 39 states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in North Dakota
Your Connecticut habits may not match North Dakota's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.
- Not proactive by statute: license carriers must produce the license for inspection upon an officer's request, and permitless carriers must disclose the firearm if the officer inquires and show state ID on request (NDCC 62.1-04-04; $20 noncriminal fee). The AG's Constitutional Carry page nonetheless instructs permitless carriers to inform law enforcement on any in-person contact — safest practice is to inform.
- North Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- A loaded handgun in a vehicle is legal for ND licensees, out-of-state reciprocity carriers, and permitless-eligible individuals carrying a valid state/territory ID (NDCC 62.1-02-10(3),(8)).
Off-limits places in North Dakota
- Bar areas set aside for alcohol sale/consumption, and bingo gaming sites (NDCC 62.1-02-04)
- Schools and school-sponsored events on school property
- Churches and other places of worship (unless the congregation authorizes)
- Publicly owned or operated buildings (NDCC 62.1-02-05 'public gatherings')
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Connecticut non-resident permit valid in North Dakota?
- The permit does nothing for you in North Dakota; the state's own law does. North Dakota doesn't recognize Connecticut non-resident permits, but permitless carry for adults 18+ makes concealed carry legal for eligible adults anyway.
- Do I have to tell police in North Dakota that I am carrying?
- Not proactive by statute: license carriers must produce the license for inspection upon an officer's request, and permitless carriers must disclose the firearm if the officer inquires and show state ID on request (NDCC 62.1-04-04; $20 noncriminal fee). The AG's Constitutional Carry page nonetheless instructs permitless carriers to inform law enforcement on any in-person contact — safest practice is to inform.
- Does North Dakota limit magazine capacity?
- North Dakota sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in North Dakota without any permit?
- North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does North Dakota publish its official reciprocity list?
- North Dakota publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- ND Attorney General — Reciprocity with Other States (honors resident and non-resident licenses; Class 1/Class 2 lists) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Constitutional Concealed Carry (18+, any state/territory ID, inform-on-contact guidance) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Eligibility for a Concealed Weapon License (ages 18/21, residency and non-resident criteria) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-04 — Concealed Weapons (62.1-04-02, -03, -03.1, -04) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-02 — Possession of Weapons (liquor establishments, public gatherings, vehicle carry) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CT DESPP - Connecticut State Pistol Permit — accessed 2026-08-08
- CT DESPP - Pistol Permit FAQ (non-resident application process) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Chapter 529 - Secs. 29-28 (permits) and 29-35 (carrying without permit prohibited) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Sec. 53-202w - Large capacity magazines (10-round limit) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Sec. 53a-217b - Possession of a weapon on school grounds — accessed 2026-08-08