North Carolina Gun Laws

North Carolina has NOT enacted permitless concealed carry. § 14-269 makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor (Class H felony for a second offense) to carry a concealed handgun about one's person off one's own premises without a valid CHP. SB 50 (Freedom to Carry NC) passed both chambers and the Senate overrode the Governor's veto on July 29, 2025, but as of April 2026 the House has not voted on the override — so the bill is not law.

"it shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his person any pistol or gun except in the following circumstances..."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269 (carrying concealed weapons) statute

North Carolina is a shall-issue state. The sheriff must issue a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to any applicant who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, has been a state resident for at least 30 days, is 21 or older, does not suffer from a disqualifying physical or mental infirmity, has completed an approved firearms safety and training course involving the actual firing of a handgun, and is not disqualified under subsection (b). Approved courses are certified by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, the NRA, or USCCA.

"The sheriff shall issue a permit to an applicant if the applicant qualifies under the following criteria: (1) The applicant is a citizen of the United States... (2) The applicant is 21 years of age or older... (4) The applicant has successfully completed an approved firearms safety and training course which involves the actual firing of handguns."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.12 statute

A North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit is valid throughout the state for five years from the date of issuance.

"The permit shall be valid throughout the State for a period of five years from the date of issuance."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11(b) statute

The N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, acting under its rulemaking authority in N.C.G.S. § 14-415.12(a)(4), requires an approved concealed handgun safety and training course to be a minimum of 8 hours and to include classroom instruction in state firearms law and the use of deadly force, plus a live-fire qualification.

"The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission shall prepare and publish general guidelines for courses and qualifications of instructors which would satisfy the requirements of this subdivision."

12 NCAC 09H .0103 / N.C.G.S. § 14-415.12(a)(4) (training minimum) statute

Penalty statute for CHP violations. Carrying a concealed handgun on private premises posted under § 14-415.11(c)(8) is punishable by a fine of up to $500 (or surrender of the permit in lieu of the fine). Violations of the alcohol-impaired carry provision § 14-415.11(c2) are a Class 1 misdemeanor. Failure to disclose to a law enforcement officer is an infraction punishable under § 14-3.1; other CHP-rule violations are Class 2 misdemeanors.

"may be required to pay a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00). In lieu of paying a fine the person may surrender the permit."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.21 statute

Open carry of a handgun by an adult who is not a prohibited person is legal in North Carolina without a permit because no state statute prohibits it and state law preempts local regulation of firearm possession. Open carry remains subject to location restrictions (schools, courthouses, posted private property, etc.) and to the common-law offense of going armed to the terror of the people.

"the entire field of regulation of firearms is preempted from regulation by local governments except as provided by this section."

N.C.G.S. § 14-409.40 (preemption) / no statute prohibiting open carry of a handgun statute

Carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle is unlawful without a CHP. NC case law and the State Bureau of Investigation interpret concealed-in-vehicle to mean a handgun that is both not readily visible to a person approaching the vehicle AND readily accessible to occupants. A handgun in plain view (e.g., on the dashboard or in an open holster), or one stored so as to be not readily accessible (locked glove box, locked center console, or trunk), is not 'concealed' for purposes of § 14-269 — but a loaded handgun in an unlocked closed glove box or unlocked closed console is unlawful without a CHP.

"it shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his person any pistol or gun."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269 (concealed-carry offense in vehicle without CHP) statute

A CHP holder otherwise barred from a state government building may still transport a handgun to and from a parking area on that property by storing the handgun in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle. The vehicle must remain locked except during entry or exit.

"provided the weapon is a handgun, is in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269(a2) (CHP holder; state government parking) statute

North Carolina has NOT enacted a private-employer parking-lot 'guns in trunks' statute. Private employers may lawfully prohibit firearms in vehicles parked on company property by posting conspicuous notice. The only vehicle-storage protection in state law is the narrow CHP-holder allowance in § 14-269(a2) for state-government parking areas — it does not bind private employers.

"Areas prohibited by rule adopted under G.S. 120-32.1 [Legislative Building]... On any private premises where notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a conspicuous notice."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269 / § 14-415.11 (no general employer parking-lot statute) statute

North Carolina recognizes any facially valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state. The NC Department of Justice annually surveys other states to determine which honor North Carolina permits.

"A valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state is valid in North Carolina."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.24 statute

The North Carolina Department of Justice publishes the list of states that have formally responded confirming they honor a North Carolina CHP: AL, FL*, IL*, LA*, MN, MS*, MT*, NM, ND, RI, SD*, TN*, UT, VA*, WA, WV, WY (asterisk denotes recognition with limitations such as residents-only or location restrictions). The list is incomplete because the DOJ only lists states that have responded in the past year; many additional states with permitless carry or broad reciprocity honor NC permits despite not appearing on the list.

"Below are the states that have responded in the past year indicating they will honor North Carolina permits."

NC DOJ — Concealed Weapon Reciprocity ag

North Carolina codifies the castle doctrine: a lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle, or workplace is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent death or serious bodily harm when using defensive force against another who unlawfully and forcibly enters or attempts to enter the protected place.

"The lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle, or workplace is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent death or serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily harm to another if both of the following apply..."

N.C.G.S. § 14-51.2(b) statute

The North Carolina Supreme Court held in State v. Phillips (2024) that once the statutory castle-doctrine presumption of § 14-51.2 applies and is not rebutted by a statutorily enumerated circumstance, a trial court errs by instructing the jury on free-standing common-law proportionality or excessive-force concepts. The statute, not pre-statute reasonableness doctrine, governs.

"Once the statutory presumption is in place and unrebutted, proportionality and 'excessive force' do not sit in the case as free-standing concepts."

State v. Phillips, 386 N.C. 513 (2024) court

North Carolina is a stand-your-ground state: a person who is in a place he or she has the lawful right to be has no duty to retreat before using defensive force, including deadly force, when reasonably believed necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. A person justified in using such force is immune from civil and criminal liability, except as against properly identified law enforcement.

"A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat in any place he or she has the lawful right to be... He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another."

N.C.G.S. § 14-51.3(a) statute

A North Carolina CHP holder has a statutory duty to disclose to any law enforcement officer, when approached or addressed by the officer, that the person holds a valid CHP and is carrying a concealed handgun, and to display both the permit and proper identification on the officer's request. Failure to disclose is an infraction under § 14-415.21.

"shall disclose to any law enforcement officer that the person holds a valid permit and is carrying a concealed handgun when approached or addressed by the officer, and shall display both the permit and the proper identification upon the request of a law enforcement officer."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11(a) statute

Knowingly possessing or carrying any firearm, openly or concealed, on educational property (any K-12 or higher-education campus, building, school bus, or athletic field) is a Class I felony; willful discharge on educational property is a Class F felony. Narrow exceptions exist for law enforcement, school-authorized personnel, residential employee housing, and (since SL 2023-8) CHP holders attending religious worship at a dual-use school/place-of-worship property outside school operating hours.

"It shall be a Class I felony for any person knowingly to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any gun, rifle, pistol, or other firearm... on educational property."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269.2 statute

Carrying a firearm into any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission, or into any establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The prohibition does not apply to a CHP holder unless the property owner has posted conspicuous notice prohibiting concealed handguns.

"It shall be unlawful for any person to carry any gun, rifle, or pistol into any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission thereto, or into any establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269.3 statute

It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to possess or carry, openly or concealed, any deadly weapon (including a firearm) in the State Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, the Western Residence, any of their grounds, or in any courthouse. Limited exceptions exist for judges, magistrates with CHPs and proper storage, law enforcement, and CHP holders storing the weapon in a locked vehicle compartment.

"It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, or carry, whether openly or concealed, any deadly weapon... in the State Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, the Western Residence of the Governor, or on the grounds of any of these buildings, and in any building housing any court of the General Court of Justice."

N.C.G.S. § 14-269.4 statute

Willfully or intentionally possessing or having immediate access to a dangerous weapon at a parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration on public property is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Exceptions apply for law enforcement and (in the case of parades or funerals) for CHP holders unless the property owner has posted prohibition notice.

"It shall be unlawful for any person participating in, affiliated with, or present as a spectator at any parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration upon any private health care facility or upon any public place owned or under the control of the State or any of its political subdivisions to willfully or intentionally possess or have immediate access to any dangerous weapon."

N.C.G.S. § 14-277.2 statute

A CHP holder may not carry a concealed handgun onto any private premises where the legal possessor has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting concealed handguns. Carrying in violation is punishable by a fine up to $500 or permit surrender under § 14-415.21.

"On any private premises where notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a conspicuous notice or statement by the person in legal possession or control of the premises."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11(c)(8) (posted private property) statute

Narrow CHP-holder exception to the location restrictions in § 14-415.11(c). District attorneys, assistant DAs, DA investigators, district and superior court judges, magistrates, elected clerks of court, registers of deeds, administrative law judges, certain DPS employees designated in writing by the Secretary, and non-sworn law enforcement employees designated in writing by the agency head may carry a concealed handgun in otherwise prohibited areas if they hold a valid CHP and carry written proof of designation where required.

"A person employed by the Department of Public Safety who has been designated in writing by the Secretary."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.27 statute

It is unlawful for any person — with or without a CHP — to carry a concealed handgun while consuming alcohol or while any alcohol remains in the body, or while any previously consumed controlled substance remains in the blood. The prohibition does not apply to lawfully prescribed therapeutic medications, or to consumption on one's own property. Violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 14-415.21.

"It shall be unlawful for a person, with or without a permit, to carry a concealed handgun while consuming alcohol or at any time while the person has remaining in the person's body any alcohol or in the person's blood a controlled substance previously consumed."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11(c2) statute

The Legislative Services Commission has authority to maintain and provide security for the State legislative buildings and grounds, and to adopt rules governing them. Any rule restricting firearms in the Legislative Building cannot prohibit the transportation or storage of a firearm in a closed compartment or container within a person's locked vehicle. § 14-415.11(c) bars CHP holders from carrying in areas prohibited by rule adopted under this section.

"No rule adopted under this section shall prohibit the transportation or storage of a firearm in a closed compartment or container within a person's locked vehicle."

N.C.G.S. § 120-32.1 (Legislative Building rules) statute

Effective March 29, 2023, Session Law 2023-8 (Part II) repealed N.C.G.S. §§ 14-402 through 14-405 and 14-407.1, eliminating the Pistol Purchase Permit (PPP) requirement that had been administered by county sheriffs since 1919. Federally licensed firearm dealers now run only the federal NICS background check for handgun and long-gun purchases; private in-state transfers between unlicensed individuals are not required by state law to go through a background check. Concealed Handgun Permit holders remain ATF-recognized as a NICS alternative.

"G.S. 14-402 through G.S. 14-405 and G.S. 14-407.1 are repealed... This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to pistols sold, given away, transferred, purchased, or received on or after that date."

Session Law 2023-8 (Senate Bill 41) — Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal statute

Federal law requires a federally licensed dealer (FFL) to sell handguns only to buyers 21 or older, and long guns only to buyers 18 or older. Since North Carolina's repeal of the Pistol Purchase Permit (SL 2023-8), the federal minimum is the controlling rule for FFL handgun sales in NC. Private in-state transfers between unlicensed adults are not bound by these FFL-specific minimums.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal FFL minimums) atf

North Carolina has no firearm registration requirement. The state preemption statute prohibits counties and municipalities from regulating registration, possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, or transportation of firearms.

"no county or municipality, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner the possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, transportation, or registration of firearms."

N.C.G.S. § 14-409.40 (preemption) — no firearm registry statute

North Carolina has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. Multiple ERPO bills have been filed in successive sessions (e.g., HB 525 of 2023) but none has been enacted. Firearm surrender provisions in domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B remain the closest analogue.

"no county or municipality, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner the possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, transportation, or registration of firearms."

N.C.G.S. Chapter 14 / Chapter 50 — no ERPO statute enacted statute

Chapter 50B governs domestic violence protective orders. § 50B-3.1 requires a defendant served with an emergency or ex parte order, when the court finds the statutory firearm-surrender criteria are met, to immediately surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, gun-purchase permits, and concealed-carry permits in the defendant's care, custody, possession, ownership, or control. Possessing, purchasing, or receiving a firearm while the order is in effect is a separate offense. This is the closest analogue to a red-flag statute in North Carolina law.

"Upon service of the order, the defendant shall immediately surrender to the sheriff possession of all firearms, machine guns, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control of the defendant."

N.C.G.S. § 50B-3.1 (firearm surrender under DV protective orders) statute

Session Law 2025-70 (Senate Bill 429) is an omnibus criminal-law act. Section 20 amended § 50B-3.1 to allow a defendant in a domestic violence protective order proceeding to retrieve surrendered firearms without an additional court order when a protective order is denied or not entered, provided the sheriff verifies via background check that the defendant is not a federally or state-prohibited person and has no pending criminal charges against the protected person. It also extends retrieval timelines and clarifies procedures for third-party firearm owners.

"the defendant may retrieve any weapons surrendered to the sheriff without additional order of the court upon the occurrence of one of the following conditions."

Session Law 2025-70 (SB 429) — DV protective order firearm-retrieval changes statute

North Carolina has no state assault-weapon ban. Local governments are preempted from adopting one. Semi-automatic rifles in common civilian configuration are lawful for non-prohibited adults.

"the entire field of regulation of firearms is preempted from regulation by local governments except as provided by this section."

N.C.G.S. § 14-409.40 (preemption); no AWB statute statute

North Carolina imposes no magazine-capacity limit. The state preemption statute bars local governments from adopting one.

"no county or municipality, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner the possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, transportation, or registration of firearms."

N.C.G.S. § 14-409.40 (preemption); no capacity statute statute

North Carolina prohibits the manufacture, assembly, possession, storage, transportation, sale, offer to sell, purchase, offer to purchase, delivery or give, or any attempt thereof, of a 'weapon of mass death and destruction' — which is defined to include machine guns, short-barreled rifles (barrel under 16" or overall length under 26"), short-barreled shotguns, and suppressors. The statute exempts persons who lawfully possess these items in full compliance with the federal National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. ch. 53, §§ 5801-5871).

"Persons who lawfully possess or own a weapon as defined in subsection (c) of this section in compliance with 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, §§ 5801-5871."

N.C.G.S. § 14-288.8 statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are regulated federally under the National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. Possession in North Carolina is lawful when the item is registered and held in compliance with the NFA.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

North Carolina preempts the entire field of firearm regulation. Counties and municipalities may not, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, regulate the possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, transportation, or registration of firearms, except as expressly authorized by state law.

"the entire field of regulation of firearms is preempted from regulation by local governments except as provided by this section."

N.C.G.S. § 14-409.40 statute

A parallel uniformity statute provides that no political subdivision, board, or agency of the state may enact ordinances, rules, or regulations concerning legally carrying a concealed handgun, with narrow exceptions for posting government buildings and certain recreational facilities.

"no political subdivisions, boards, or agencies of the State nor any county, city, municipality, municipal corporation, town, township, village, nor any department or agency thereof, may enact ordinances, rules, or regulations concerning legally carrying a concealed handgun."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.23 (uniformity for concealed carry) statute

Senate Bill 41 (Session Law 2023-8) was ratified March 16, 2023, vetoed by Governor Cooper March 24, 2023, and became law over the veto on March 29, 2023. Part II repealed the Pistol Purchase Permit statutes (§§ 14-402 to 14-405 and 14-407.1) effective immediately. Part I added § 14-269.2(k1), allowing a CHP holder to carry on educational property that is also a place of religious worship, outside school operating hours, unless conspicuously posted (effective December 1, 2023). Part III launched a statewide firearm safe-storage awareness initiative.

"G.S. 14-402 through G.S. 14-405 and G.S. 14-407.1 are repealed... Became law notwithstanding the objections of the Governor at 9:40 a.m. this 29th day of March, 2023."

Session Law 2023-8 (SB 41) — Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal + religious-meeting-on-school-property exception statute

Session Law 2025-81 authorized employees and volunteers at nonpublic schools to carry firearms on educational property with written board authorization, a valid CHP, and at least 8 hours of additional annual training. It also clarified that a person attending religious worship services at a dual-use school/place-of-worship property may carry a concealed handgun under the existing § 14-269.2(k1) exception. School-related provisions took effect December 1, 2025; shooting-range protections took effect July 29, 2025.

"AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS AT NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY CARRY CERTAIN WEAPONS ON EDUCATIONAL PROPERTY WHEN AUTHORIZED..."

Session Law 2025-81 (HB 193) statute

Session Law 2025-71 created aggravated variants of felon-in-possession (N.C.G.S. § 14-415.1): Class F when committed during or in attempted commission of most felonies, Class D when the firearm is brandished, and Class C when discharged. It also added a one-class sentencing enhancement to burglary and breaking-or-entering offenses committed while the defendant possesses a firearm. Effective for offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

"AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING THE USE OF FIREARMS."

Session Law 2025-71 (SB 311) — aggravated felon-in-possession statute

Senate Bill 50 (Freedom to Carry NC) would establish permitless concealed carry for U.S. citizens 18 and older. Governor Stein vetoed the bill on June 27, 2025. The Senate overrode the veto on July 29, 2025 (30-19). The House placed the override vote on its calendar repeatedly through late 2025 and early 2026 (December 15, 2025; January 12, February 9, March 9, and April 6, 2026) but withdrew it on each occasion without holding the vote. As of June 6, 2026, SB 50 has not become law and North Carolina remains a shall-issue state.

"AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF NORTH CAROLINIANS' RIGHT TO CONCEALED CARRY OF A FIREARM."

Senate Bill 50 (2025) — Freedom to Carry NC (NOT enacted) statute

Base felon-in-possession statute. It is unlawful for any person convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in custody, care, or control any firearm or weapon of mass death and destruction. Standard violation is a Class G felony; Session Law 2025-71 added aggravated tiers — Class F when committed during or in attempted commission of most felonies, Class D when the firearm is brandished, and Class C when discharged. The statute does not apply to antique firearms or to persons whose firearm rights have been restored.

"It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in the person's custody, care, or control any firearm or any weapon of mass death and destruction."

N.C.G.S. § 14-415.1 (felon-in-possession; amended by SL 2025-71) statute

House Bill 193 (SL 2025-81) authorized employees and volunteers of nonpublic schools to carry firearms on educational property with written board authorization, a valid CHP, and at least 8 hours of additional annual training. It also clarified the dual-school/place-of-worship carry exception in § 14-269.2(k1) for worship attendees. Effective December 1, 2025 (with shooting-range provisions effective July 29, 2025).

Session Law 2025-81 (House Bill 193)

Senate Bill 311 (SL 2025-71) created Class F / D / C aggravated variants of felon-in-possession (§ 14-415.1) for possession, brandishing, or discharge of a firearm during the commission or attempted commission of most felonies, and added a one-class sentencing enhancement to burglary and breaking-or-entering offenses committed while the defendant possesses a firearm.

Session Law 2025-71 (Senate Bill 311)

Senate Bill 41 (SL 2023-8) repealed N.C.G.S. §§ 14-402 through 14-405 and 14-407.1, eliminating the century-old sheriff-issued Pistol Purchase Permit and making federal NICS the only background-check system for FFL handgun sales. The same act added § 14-269.2(k1), allowing a CHP holder to carry on educational property that is also a place of religious worship outside school operating hours, and launched a statewide firearm safe-storage awareness initiative. The PPP repeal took effect immediately; the religious-property exception took effect December 1, 2023.

Session Law 2023-8 (Senate Bill 41)