Gun laws in North Carolina regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

North Carolina is a permissive state for firearms ownership. The state maintains concealed carry reciprocity with any other state so long as the permit is valid.

Summary table Subject / law Longguns Handguns Relevant statutes NotesState permit required to purchase?NoNoSenate Bill 41Senate Bill 41, Guarantee Second Amendment Freedom and Protections, eliminates all pistol purchase permitting laws in the state. Enacted and effective March 29, 2023.Federal Background Checks Required for all purchase through Firearms DealersYesYesIn 2023, North Carolina repealed its law requiring a permit to purchase a handgun and is no longer a partial point of contact state for NICS. Firearms dealers must contact the FBI to process the background check required by federal law. Background checks required for private sales? No No In 2023, the North Carolina legislature overrode the governor's veto to repeal its law requiring a permit and background check to buy a handgun. The state does not otherwise require background checks on purchases of firearms from unlicensed sellers. Federal and state purchaser prohibitions still apply. Firearm registration? No No Assault weapon law? No No Magazine capacity restriction? No No Owner license required? No No Permit required for concealed carry? N/A Yes § 14-269§§ 14-415.10 to 14-415.27 North Carolina is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older. Permit required for open carry? No No § 160A-189 May carry openly without permit. Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law? Yes Yes § 14-51.3 State preemption of local restrictions? Yes Yes § 14-409.40§ 14-415.23 Municipalities may ban firearms from government buildings. NFA weapons restricted? No No § 14-288.8§ 14-409 Shall certify? Yes Yes § 14-409.41 Shall certify within 15 days. Peaceable Journey laws? No No Duty to inform? No Yes § 14-415.11(a)

State constitutional provisions Article I, section 30 of the Constitution of North Carolina states:

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained, and the military shall be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice.”

Common law North Carolina is a common law state. Appearing in a public place, armed with a firearm, may be an affray at common law depending on the circumstances. In State v. Huntley (1843), the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled, in part:

It has been remarked that a double-barrel gun, or any other gun, cannot in this country come under the description of "unusual weapons," for there is scarcely a man in the community who does not own and occasionally use a gun of some sort. But we do not feel the force of this criticism. A gun is an "unusual weapon," wherewith to be armed and clad. No man amongst us carries it about with him, as one of his every day accoutrements—as a part of his dress—and never, we trust, will the day come when any deadly weapon will be worn or wielded in our peace-loving and law-abiding State, as an appendage of manly equipment. But although a gun is an "unusual weapon," it is to be remembered that the carrying of a gun, per se, constitutes no (sic) offence. For any lawful purpose—either of business or amusement—the citizen is at perfect liberty to carry his gun. It is the wicked purpose, and the mischievous result, which essentially constitute the crime. He shall not carry about this or any other weapon of death to terrify and alarm, and in such manner as naturally will terrify and alarm a peaceful people.'

Because of State v. Huntley, and other court rulings, caution is urged as to the areas in North Carolina a person frequents with firearms.

Automatic rifles and machine guns NFA weapons such as registered fully automatic firearms, short-barreled shotguns, and suppressors are legal to own by private citizens in North Carolina so long as ATF regulations are followed.

The ATF requires the transfer of fully automatic weapons to be in compliance with State and Local laws. North Carolina General Statute 14-409 Machine Guns and Other Like Weapons, states “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to manufacture, sell, give away, dispose of, use or possess machine guns, submachine guns, or other like weapons…”. The statute goes further to outline seven specific exceptions allowing for the lawful possession of such weapons in the state of North Carolina: Banks, merchants, and recognized business establishments for use in their respective places of business, who shall first apply to and receive from the sheriff of the county in which said business is located, a permit to possess the said weapons for the purpose of defending the said business; United States Army, when in discharge of their official duties; Officers and soldiers of the militia when called into actual service; Officers of the State, or of any county, city or town ... when acting in the discharge of their official duties; The manufacture, use or possession of such weapons for scientific or experimental purposes; Resident of this State who now owns a machine gun used in former wars, as a relic or souvenir may retain and keep same as his or her property. A person who lawfully possesses or owns a weapon in compliance with 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, §§ 5801-5871.

Any other possession or use of fully automatic weapons in North Carolina is unlawful.

Acquiring a handgun

To acquire a handgun in North Carolina an individual must complete ATF Form 4473 at an FFL licensed seller or through private sales. The seller is required to complete a background check using the National Instant Criminal System (NICS). Completing a NICS check is not required if one has a concealed handgun permit. North Carolina previously had a Pistol Purchase Permit system that was a holdover from Jim Crow laws that were designed to prevent African-Americans and other minorities from easily obtaining handguns. However, the pistol purchase permit law was repealed March 29, 2023.

In accordance to North Carolina Law, no county or local government can require handgun registration.

Concealed carry Concealed carry exemptions summary table Carry ability / Person CHP holder Local, fed & state LEOs Retired LE LE (off-duty) Detention & correction State corrections (off-duty) Dist. / Sup. Court judge & Magistrate DA, ADA or investigator Armed forces (official duty) NG (in service) Clerk of court & register of deed State probation & parole DPS employee Admin. law judge US LE officer US civil enforcement officer PPSB armed security Must complete approved firearms safety course Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No No Must inform they are carrying a concealed firearm when addressed by LEO Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesOn private premises where there is notice that carrying a concealed handgun prohibited No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Private/public educational property No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Premises where fee charged for admission No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Parade / funeral / picket line or demonstration on healthcare facility or public place owned by state or city No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No State capitol building, Executive Mansion, governor or General Court of Justice grounds No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No State legislative buildings / associated property No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No In a building housing only State or federal offices No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No In an office of State / federal government not located in a building exclusively occupied by them No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No State owned rest area / fishing / hunting reservation No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Grounds / waters of State Park system No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Eligibility requirements Under NCGS 14-415.12 "the sheriff shall issue a permit to an applicant if the applicant qualifies under the following criteria":

The applicant is a citizen of the United States or has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20), and has been a resident of the State 30 days or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application (exceptions also exist under 18 US Code S. 922 which allow non-immigrants to purchase a firearm) The applicant is 21 years of age or older. The applicant does not suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun The applicant has successfully completed an approved firearms safety and training course which involves the actual firing of handguns and instruction in the laws of this State governing the carrying of a concealed handgun and the use of deadly force. Sworn law enforcement, qualified retired law enforcement/corrections/parole/probation or a certified armed security guard are exempt from this course requirement. The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission (NCCJETSC) shall prepare and publish general guidelines for courses and qualifications of instructors which would satisfy the requirements of this subdivision. An approved course shall be any course which satisfies the requirements of this subdivision and is certified or sponsored by: The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, The National Rifle Association of America, or A law enforcement agency, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, taught by instructors certified by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission (NCCJETSC) or the National Rifle Association of America. The applicant is not disqualified under subsection (b) of this section (see ineligibility requirements)

Once the above conditions are met, the Sheriff of the relevant County shall issue the permit as North Carolina is a "shall issue" state.

Instructors for these handgun safety classes must be certified by the North Carolina Department of Justice. The Concealed Carry Handgun Safety Class is regulated to be a minimum of eight hours long and must include a written test on state laws pertaining to the use of deadly force, and restrictions on the locations a handgun may be carried in a concealed fashion. In addition, the applicant must shoot a designated course of fire and obtain a passing score. A concealed handgun permit is valid for a period of five years.

Ineligibility requirements The sheriff shall deny a permit to an applicant who:

(1) Is ineligible to own, possess, or receive a firearm under the provisions of State or federal law. (2) Is under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony. (3) Has been adjudicated guilty in any court of a felony, unless: (i) the felony is an offense that pertains to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, or restraints of trade, or (ii) the person's firearms rights have been restored pursuant to G.S. 14–415.4. (4) Is a fugitive from justice. (5) Is an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana, alcohol, or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802.