North Dakota, Minnesota Reach Concealed Carry Reciprocity

The following is a press release from the office of the North Dakota Attorney General

Concealed weapon license reciprocity has been reached between North Dakota and Minnesota, announced Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.

Effective immediately, North Dakota Class 1 Concealed Weapon Licenses are recognized in Minnesota, and Minnesota concealed carry permits are recognized in North Dakota.

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“North Dakota Class 1 license holders now have reciprocity in thirty-nine states,” said Stenehjem.

Stenehjem’s office has been attempting to gain reciprocity with Minnesota for several years, through many legislative changes, but one word in Minnesota law stymied the efforts – “substantially.” Minnesota required another state’s laws to be substantially similar to its own. Earlier this year, however, the Minnesota legislature removed “substantially” from the requirement. Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety determined North Dakota’s laws met the new standard.

“By removing one word, the Minnesota legislature at last made reciprocity between our states a possibility,” said Stenehjem. “Even before the bill had been finalized, my office contacted the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to renew efforts for reciprocity. I am very pleased by yesterday’s decision by the department.”

Stenehjem issued a letter yesterday acknowledging the new mutual reciprocity between the states. All Minnesota license holders have reciprocity in North Dakota, although only Class 1 ND license holders have reciprocity in Minnesota, not the ND Class 2 licenses. Stenehjem reminded license holders that they must comply with the laws of the state in which they are carrying.

Minnesota residents whose North Dakota licenses were suspended in 2013 can now apply to the North Dakota BCI to have those licenses reinstated. More information about reinstatement and North Dakota concealed carry laws is available on the Concealed Weapon license pages of the Attorney General’s website, www.ag.nd.gov.