Is a Montana Non-Resident Permit Valid in North Dakota?

Why

• Montana does not issue carry permits to non-residents (permit requires at least 6 months' montana residency, us citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and montana id (mca 45-8-321; mt doj). no non-resident permits are issued).

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.

Carry rules in North Dakota

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside North Dakota, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• 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 Montana non-resident permit valid in North Dakota?

Montana does not sell permits to out-of-state applicants (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). For carry in North Dakota, what matters is a permit you can actually hold — your resident permit, or a non-resident permit from a state that issues them.

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.

Does Montana issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Montana issues carry permits to residents only (permit requires at least 6 months' Montana residency, US citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and Montana ID (MCA 45-8-321; MT DOJ). No non-resident permits are issued). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.