State Laws · NC
North Carolina Gun Laws
Effective as of March 29, 2023 (SB 41, repeal of pistol purchase permit). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed Carry
North Carolina requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. The state is shall-issue. Applicants must complete an approved firearms safety course including live-fire training, be at least 21 years old, and pass a background check. The permit is valid for five years.
Key statute: N.C.G.S. § 14-415.10 through 14-415.27 — governs concealed handgun permits.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit for anyone who can legally possess a firearm. However, it is illegal to carry a weapon (open or concealed) at parades, funerals, or picket lines, and local governments may regulate the display of firearms on public property.
Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal
In March 2023, the North Carolina legislature overrode Governor Cooper's veto of SB 41, repealing the state's longstanding pistol purchase permit requirement. Previously, buyers needed a permit from the county sheriff to purchase a handgun. Now, handgun purchases from FFLs follow the standard federal NICS background check without an additional state permit.
Who Cannot Carry
Prohibited persons include: convicted felons, persons under indictment for a felony, fugitives from justice, unlawful users of controlled substances, persons adjudicated as mentally incompetent, illegal aliens, persons dishonorably discharged, persons subject to domestic violence protective orders, and persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Prohibited Locations
North Carolina prohibits carrying (concealed or openly) in: areas of assemblies where admission is charged, educational property (schools K-12 and campuses), state and federal buildings, the General Assembly, courthouses, law enforcement facilities, establishments where alcohol is sold and consumed, parades and demonstrations, and any posted private property.
Purchase Requirements
All FFL purchases require a NICS background check. Private handgun sales no longer require a purchase permit (as of SB 41, 2023). There is no waiting period. North Carolina does not have an assault weapons ban or magazine capacity restriction.
Citations
N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Article 54B (concealed handgun permit); N.C.G.S. § 14-269 (carrying concealed weapons); SB 41 (2023).
Look up statutes at North Carolina General Assembly →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →North Carolina statutes
North Carolina General Assembly →This link goes to North Carolina's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.