North Carolina Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
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Permit to Purchase | No | Yes |
Registration of Firearms | No | No* |
Licensing of Owners | No | No* |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
* Sheriff to retain and make available to law enforcement agencies a list of permitees. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
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Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | No Provisions |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | Shall Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Outright Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
No state permit is required to purchase a rifle or shotgun. It is lawful for citizens of the State to purchase rifles and shotguns and ammunition in states contiguous to this State. Pistol Purchase Permit
Pursuant to North Carolina Statute 14-402, it is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, give away, or transfer, or to purchase or receive, any pistol without either a Pistol Purchase Permit or a North Carolina concealed handgun permit held by a resident of the State at the time of the purchase.
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Possession
There are no state licensing requirements to possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. MORE |
Carry
At least 45 days prior to the expiration date of a permit, the sheriff of the county where the permit was issued shall send a written notice to the permittee explaining the permit is about to expire, including information about the requirements for renewal of the permit. The notice shall be sent by first class mail to the last known address of the permittee. Failure to receive a renewal notice shall not relieve a permittee of the requirements imposed for renewal of a permit. The permit of a permittee who applies for renewal within the 90 day period before expiration, who complies with this section, shall remain valid beyond the expiration date of the permit until the permittee either receives a renewal permit or is denied a renewal permit by the sheriff. During the renewal period, a sheriff may waive the requirement to take another firearms safety and training course. If a permit expires, a sheriff may waive the requirement of taking another firearms safety and training course if the permittee applies within 60 days after a permit expires. MORE |
Antiques and Replicas
Antique firearms are exempt from purchase restrictions. |
Machine Guns
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to manufacture, sell, give away, dispose of, use or possess a machine gun. This also includes any frame or receiver of such a weapon, or parts used in converting a weapon into a machine gun. State law requires a permit to possess the weapon from the sheriff. Federal law does not automatically legitimize the possession of a machine gun in the various counties of North Carolina, nor does such federal licensing require the sheriff to issue a permit for the possession of such a weapon.
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Preemption
All regulation of firearms or ammunition is reserved to the state legislature, pursuant to North Carolina Statute 14-409.40. MORE |
Range Protection
A shooting range shall not be subject to a civil or criminal prosecution for claims of nuisance, noise or noise pollution. MORE |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to import, manufacture, possess, sell, transfer, or acquire any teflon-coated bullet. MORE |
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Lt Gov Robinson went viral in 2018 for his impassioned speech on the 2nd Amendment during a city ...
Friday, May 5, 2023
This week, HB 189, originally titled the 'NC Constitutional Carry Act', moved through several committees in the North Carolina House of ...
Thursday, April 20, 2023
After this month's incredible victory, NRA members and all gun owners in North Carolina have benefitted from the immediate ...
Monday, April 3, 2023
Two weeks ago, the North Carolina General Assembly passed S. 41, legislation that sought to remove the requirement that ...
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Today, March 29, the House voted 71-46 to override Governor Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, a bill that recognizes ...
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Today, March 28, the Senate voted 30-19 to override Governor Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, a bill that recognizes ...
Monday, March 27, 2023
As expected, the veto override is scheduled in the Senate tomorrow, March 28 for Senate Bill 41, a bill that recognizes ...
Friday, March 24, 2023
Unfortunately, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 41, a bill that recognizes law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense while attending ...
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Yesterday, March 15, the House of Representatives voted 70-44 to pass on Senate Bill 41, a bill that recognizes law-abiding ...
Monday, March 13, 2023
Tomorrow, March 14, the House Judiciary 3 Committee will debate and vote on Senate Bill 41, a bill that ...