Central ND News

Attorney General Drew Wrigley has announced the launch of a new Concealed Weapon License (CWL) Validation Tool for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in North Dakota. The tool is designed to help firearms dealers verify the status of a purchaser’s concealed weapon license during firearm transactions that involve a NICS Transaction Number (NTN).

The validation system uses a simple “red light/green light” method to indicate whether a CWL is active and valid at the time of purchase. No additional identifying information about the license holder is disclosed.

“This validation tool enhances the speed and reliability of firearms transactions while protecting the privacy of concealed weapon license holders,” said Attorney General Drew Wrigley. “It is a straightforward way for dealers to comply with state and federal requirements using the most current and accurate licensing data, always ensuring the rights and privacy of the holder.”

To use the tool, FFLs must enter three required fields that must exactly match data in the CWL system. A green light response means the license is active and valid, while a red light indicates either an inactive license or mismatched information. The tool does not provide any other personal or license-related details.

Access to the validation tool is available through a secure portal on the Attorney General’s office website under the Concealed Weapon Licensing page. Dealers seeking more information can contact the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Concealed Weapon Licensing unit.