Legal Self Defense Weapons in North Dakota

Conceal Carry Laws in North Dakota

North Dakota is a “shall issue” state for concealed carry permits. You don’t need a permit to concealed carry in ND if you are an ND resident. Interestingly enough you still need a concealed carry permit to carry a gun openly.

Open 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

How to Get a Concealed Carry Permit in North Dakota?

First and foremost in order to get a concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit you must meet the eligibility requirements:

Be a US citizen or legal resident
18 years old for a class 1 or 21 years old for a class 2
Legally able to possess a weapon (not a convicted felon)
A resident of ND, stationed in ND, or possess a valid CCW from their home state and accepts ND CCW permits
Successfully completed the training requirements

The difference between a class 1 and a class 2 ccw permit is class 1 and class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license is only the extent to which a holder of either license may be eligible to receive reciprocal rights in other jurisdictions.

A class 1 firearm and dangerous weapon license holder is eligible to receive reciprocal rights in more jurisdictions than a class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license holder. The rights and privileges conveyed by a class 1 or class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license within the state are identical.

You can apply for a concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit here.

ND CCW Manual

Here is a link to the North Dakota Concealed CarryWeapons Handbook can be found here.

North Dakota Self Defense Laws

North Dakota is a stand your ground and castle doctrine state.

This means that are you allowed to use up to deadly force to defend yourself, someone else, on your property and there is no duty to retreat on your property. It’s important to note that you absolutely could not have started the altercation to be covered under this protection. In other words, you couldn’t have intentionally shoved someone and then shoot him when he shoves you back.

Some situations where deadly force is allowed:

If you believe someone is about to use unlawful deadly force;
If you believe that a burglar is about to use physical force;
If someone is about to rape, kidnap, assault, or rob you.
When a person attempts to unlawfully enter a home or vehicle, or attempts to remove a person from such in order to occupy it.
When someone attempts to injure another person

North Dakota Stand Your Ground Laws

12.A1-05-03. Self-defense. person is justified in using force upon another person to defend himself against danger of
imminent unlawful bodily injury, sexual assault, or detention by such other person,

12.1-05-06. Use of force in defense of premises and property.
Force is justified if it is used to prevent or terminate an unlawful entry or other trespass in or
upon premises, or to prevent an unlawful carrying away or damaging of property, if the person
using such force first requests the person against whom such force is to be used to desist from
his interference with the premises or property, except that a request is not necessary if it would
be useless or dangerous to make the request or substantial damage would be done to the
property sought to be protected before the request could effectively be made.

Is Pepper Spray Legal in North Dakota?

Pepper spray guns like shoot more accurately and are legal in ND

Pepper spray (also known as capsaicin spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears. Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision.

This temporary blindness allows officers to more easily restrain subjects and permits people in danger to use pepper spray in self-defense for an opportunity to escape. It also causes temporary discomfort and burning of the lungs which causes shortness of breath. Pepper Spray is completely legal to own and use in self-defense in North Dakota so long as you’re not a convicted felon. (source)

Are Tasers Legal in North Dakota?

Stun guns and defense sprays (such as pepper spray) are exempt from the definition of “dangerous weapons” and therefore you do not need a concealed weapon license to carry those items concealed (e.g. in a purse or bag, under clothing, under the vehicle seat or in the vehicle’s
glove box) within North Dakota.

A Taser is not considered a dangerous weapon unless you are an individual who is prohibited from possessing a firearm. If you are prohibited from possessing a firearm, you may not possess a device that uses a projectile or one that is capable of delivering multiple applications of voltage in a single incident.

You should be aware, however, that in other states, possession or carry (open or concealed) of any of these items may be prohibited, even if the state has reciprocity with North Dakota. You must comply with the laws in the state you are visiting or in which you are traveling – please contact that state directly.

Tactical Pens are Legal in North Dakota

A tactical pen is essentially a hidden self-defense tool. What better way to hide a defense weapon other than in plain sight. It can be used for writing, stopping someone by causing a minor wound, breaking things and even breaking glass if you use it well.

The tactical pens were created for people who don’t want to use a gun for self-defense and wish to have some useful things that can potentially become a weapon. You can get the Ape Survival Multi-Use Tactical pen for free here. It’s a screw diver, hexa-wrench, flashlight, and glass breaker, and yes it actually writes. And of course, it’s legal in The Rough Rider State.