Where You Cannot Carry in North Dakota: Prohibited Places

Prohibited Places for Carrying Firearms in North Dakota

North Dakota law restricts the carrying of firearms and other dangerous weapons in specific locations under N.D.C.C. Title 62.1, Chapter 62.1-02. These restrictions apply to all carriers - Concealed Weapon License (CWL) holders, constitutional (permitless) carriers, and out-of-state permit holders carrying under reciprocity - unless a specific exception applies. Federal law adds additional restrictions on federal property.

State-Prohibited Locations

1. Liquor Establishments and Gaming Sites - N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-04

Possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon is generally prohibited at a licensed liquor establishment or gaming site. The statute distinguishes by carrier status:

• CWL holders (Class 1 or Class 2): May carry concealed in a licensed liquor establishment provided they are not consuming alcohol. Consumption of any alcohol while armed violates this exception.
• Constitutional (permitless) carriers: No exception. Permitless carriers cannot lawfully carry concealed in any portion of a licensed liquor establishment.
• Open carry: Generally prohibited in liquor establishments under N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-04, with the same alcohol-consumption restriction as the CWL exception.

"Licensed liquor establishment" includes bars, restaurants holding a liquor license for on-premises consumption (including the bar area and dining area), nightclubs, casinos with liquor licenses, and similar venues. A restaurant with only an off-sale liquor license (not on-premises consumption) may not fall within the prohibition; verify specific establishment licensure.

2. School Property and School-Sponsored Events - N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-13

Firearms are prohibited on school property and at school-sponsored events. The prohibition covers:

• Public and private school buildings (K-12).
• School grounds, including playgrounds, athletic fields, and parking areas.
• School buses and school-owned vehicles.
• School-sponsored activities and events, regardless of whether on or off school property (athletic events, field trips, performances, etc.).

Exceptions:

• Firearms locked in a vehicle in a school parking area are generally permitted.
• School-sanctioned firearms programs (e.g., trapshooting teams, hunter education).
• Law enforcement officers in the performance of official duties.

Some ND legislators have proposed allowing certain trained school personnel to carry on school property under specific authorization frameworks; current law restricts this absent specific statutory authorization.

3. Publicly Owned or Operated Buildings (Posted) - N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-05

Political subdivisions and state entities may post publicly owned or operated buildings as off-limits to firearms. Once a building is properly posted:

• Carrying a firearm into the building is a violation.
• Firearms secured and locked in a vehicle in the parking area are generally permitted.
• The posting must be conspicuous at all public entrances.

Common examples include:

• City halls and county courthouses.
• State office buildings.
• ND Capitol Complex in Bismarck (specific posting and security check applies).
• Public university and college buildings (subject to institutional policy).
• Public parks where hunting is not allowed (specific posting and rules apply).

4. Public Gatherings - N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-05

The statute also restricts firearms at certain public gatherings, which historically includes:

• Sporting events and athletic events.
• Churches and church functions (subject to individual church policies).
• Political rallies and functions.
• Musical concerts.
• Public assembly events with security screening.

The scope and enforcement of the "public gathering" category has evolved through legislation. Verify the current statutory text and recent amendments before relying on the historical list.

5. ND State Hospital Grounds - N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-05 (Verify)

The ND State Hospital in Jamestown and similar mental health treatment facilities historically have been included within the prohibited-places framework. Specific statutory authority depends on the current text of N.D.C.C. 62.1-02-05 and related provisions.

Federal Prohibited Locations

Federal law adds restrictions independent of state law:

1. Federal Buildings - 18 U.S.C. 930

Firearms are prohibited in federal facilities, including:

• Federal courthouses.
• Federal office buildings.
• Federal agency offices (FBI, ATF, IRS, Social Security Administration, etc.).
• Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and facilities.

Specific federal facilities may post additional restrictions extending to parking areas. Check posted signage.

2. Post Offices - 39 C.F.R. 232.1

Firearms are prohibited on U.S. Postal Service property, including post office buildings and parking lots. Federal courts have upheld this restriction; see, e.g., United States v. Class, 930 F.3d 460 (D.C. Cir. 2019).

3. Military Installations

Firearms on military installations are governed by the Department of Defense and individual installation commanders' policies. Generally:

• Civilians cannot carry firearms onto military installations without specific authorization.
• Active military personnel are subject to base regulations.
• Specific exceptions for permitted hunting and recreational shooting at installation-operated ranges.

4. TSA Sterile Areas at Airports - 49 U.S.C. 46505

Firearms in the sterile area of an airport (past security screening) or in carry-on baggage are a federal crime under 49 U.S.C. 46505 and 18 U.S.C. 930. Properly checked firearms for air travel are addressed in the Transport section.

5. Indian Country / Tribal Lands

Tribal nations may impose firearm restrictions on tribal lands. ND state CWL and constitutional carry have no automatic effect on tribal land. Tribal law and federal Indian Country provisions control.

6. National Parks and Federal Lands

Under federal law and 36 C.F.R. 2.4 (since 2010), firearms possession by lawful state-law possessors is permitted in National Parks. Discharge and other activities remain restricted.

• Corps of Engineers properties (Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe): Subject to 36 C.F.R. 327.13. Verify current rules.
• National Wildlife Refuges: Vary by refuge. Verify destination-specific rules.
• BLM and Forest Service lands: Generally permit carry subject to state law.

Private Property Owners

A private property owner may prohibit firearms on their property. Specifically:

• Businesses open to the public may post signage prohibiting firearms or verbally request removal of a firearm.
• Churches and religious organizations may set firearm policies for their property.
• Private residences are at the owner's discretion.

ND does not have a specific statutory rule giving private "no guns" signs legal weight in the way that, for example, Texas Penal Code 30.06/30.07 signs do. Trespass and refusal-to-leave statutes (N.D.C.C. 12.1-22-03) apply if a carrier refuses to leave after being asked.

Workplace

Employers may prohibit firearms in the workplace, in employer-controlled vehicles, and on employer-owned property. ND does not have a "parking lot" preemption statute that protects employee firearm storage in personal vehicles at work. Employees should check employer policy.

Crossing into Prohibited Places

Best practice when traveling on a route that crosses prohibited places:

• Locked vehicle storage in the parking area is generally permitted at schools, posted public buildings, and most prohibited-place destinations.
• Federal facility parking may be restricted; check destination-specific rules.
• Disarm in advance if entering a prohibited place is unavoidable.

Penalties

Violations of prohibited-place restrictions can result in:

• Misdemeanor charges under N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-05.
• Federal charges under 18 U.S.C. 930 for federal facility violations.
• Loss of CWL through administrative review.
• Trespass or refusal-to-leave charges for private-property violations.

Practical Reminders

• Constitutional carriers cannot enter licensed liquor establishments at all.
• CWL holders must not consume alcohol in liquor establishments while armed.
• Schools are off-limits to everyone; lock the firearm in your vehicle.
• Federal facilities are off-limits to everyone; the parking area is often included.
• Posted public buildings must be respected; the parking area is generally permitted.
• Private property can be posted; respect the owner's wishes.
• Tribal lands have their own rules; do not assume ND law applies.

Reciprocity and Out-of-State Permit Holders

Non-resident permit holders carrying under reciprocity must comply with all ND prohibited-place restrictions. The reciprocity agreement does not modify location-based restrictions; it only recognizes the underlying permit.

Recent Legislative Activity

ND has periodically considered expanding or modifying the prohibited-places framework. Monitor ndlegis.gov for current proposals affecting Chapter 62.1-02.

Statutory References

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Verify the current statutory text of N.D.C.C. Chapter 62.1-02 before relying on this summary. Specific applications depend on facts and current law. This is general information, not legal advice.