North Carolina Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
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, July 25, 2017
According to Chief Greg Jordan, Michael Christopher Auvil, 36, was shot during an “isolated incident” Saturday night. Jordan ...
Friday, July 14, 2017
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Sanford woman shot and killed an intruder Thursday morning. ...
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
A Lumberton businessman says a fleeting thought of his mother probably saved the life of a teenage intruder ...
Friday, June 30, 2017
After several days working with conferees, and in the final hours of the legislative session, the Senate adopted ...
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
House Bill 746, the omnibus bill that would make many pro-gun reforms to North Carolina’s gun laws, could ...
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Today, June 27, House Bill 559 is scheduled for second reading in the North Carolina Senate. HB 559, ...
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Time is running out in the 2017 legislative session and two bills, House Bill 746 and House Bill ...
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
The North Carolina Senate could take up NRA-supported House Bill 559 tomorrow! Please contact your state Senator and urge ...
Friday, June 9, 2017
North Carolina is a step closer to allowing people to carry a concealed handgun in certain places without ...
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Today, House Bill 746, the omnibus pro-gun bill that makes a number of improvements to existing law, passed ...