You need a North Carolina gun license to possess firearms and out of state carry in states that accept it.

To apply, make sure that you meet North Carolina pistol license law requirements.

North Carolina Gun Permit Summary

North Carolina is a shall-issue state for a gun license, and a county sheriff’s office is in charge of the application.

To buy handguns in the state, you must obtain a purchase permit.

Also, if you have a North Carolina pistol permit, you do not have to complete a criminal record check before you buy firearms in the state.

• Recommended Reading: North Carolina Gun Laws

How To Get A Gun Permit in North Carolina

You can apply for a gun permit in North Carolina if you are at least twenty-one years old and a resident of the state.

Note that the gun permit is for only concealed carry.

North Carolina Gun Permit Laws

North Carolina does not require a pistol permit for the possession of a firearm for anyone that is eighteen years old or more without prohibition against the use of weapons.

North Carolina prohibits the possession, sales, manufacturing, and transferring of machine guns and any other device that can turn a firearm into a machine gun.

Even those that have federal license to possess machine guns can only do so with state permission from a sheriff.

Also, the use of Teflon coated ammunition is prohibited in North Carolina.

North Carolina Pistol Permit Requirements

For a successful application of gun permits in North Carolina, you must meet all gun laws requirements. They are:

• You must be at least twenty-one years old.
• You must complete North Carolina firearms training. The only exceptions to this are members of the military and law enforcement officers.
• You must be a legal citizen of the United States of America.
• You must be a resident of North Carolina for at least thirty days before application.
• You must be a resident of the county, from where you are making the application.
• You must not be a felony or under any indictment whatsoever.
• You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
• You must not be physically or mentally disabled in such a way that it can affect your handling or firearm.
• You must not be a dishonorably discharged member of the military.
• You must not be a narcotic or an unlawful user of marijuana or any controlled substance.
• You must not be guilty of any crime involving violence or misdemeanor three years before application.
• You must not be guilty of crimes such as assault, stalking, child abuse, battery, or have a protection order from any law court.
• You must not be guilty or sentenced for a crime relating to the assault of a law enforcement officer, a probation officer, medical personnel, an emergency responder, or a parole officer.
• You must not be a convict for any driving offense three years before the application.
• You must meet all federal laws for the CCW permit application.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In North Carolina

A summary of firearms permits in North Carolina includes the following:

• State permit to purchase long guns: North Carolina does not issue a state permit to buy long guns.
• State permits to purchase handguns: North Carolina issues a state permit to purchase handguns.
• State permit to open carry: North Carolina is a permissive state, so no license required to open carry.
• State permits to conceal carry long guns: North Carolina does not issue a state permit to conceal long guns.
• State permits to conceal carry handguns: North Carolina issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In North Carolina?

The cost of initial and renewal permit applications in North Carolina is ninety dollars and seventy-five dollars. However, this may vary from county to county.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In North Carolina?

The process to apply for a gun permit in North Carolina includes the following:

Complete A Firearm Course

North Carolina requires that you complete an eight hours firearm course before you apply for the permit.

Make sure that any firearm training you enroll for is state-approved with a licensed instructor.

Obtain The Application

You can either download the application online or visit your local county sheriff’s office to apply. This depends on your county of residence.

Submit The Necessary Documents

Take your application form to the sheriff’s office and complete it under oath. Other documents you will need include the following:

• Your firearm training certificate.
• Your North Carolina state ID card or driver’s license and proof of residence.
• If you are military personnel, you must bring proof of active duty or discharge from duty.
• If you are a Naturalized citizen of the United States, bring either a certificate to prove this or a United States passport.
• Citizens born outside the United States to American parents must provide documentation from the state department.
• If you are a permanent resident, you must provide your permanent resident card.
• You must provide your fingerprints at the county office and sign a release disclosure for mental health records.

Receive Notification

You will receive a mail notification for approval or denied permit.

For the North Carolina permit renewal process, you can begin the application at least forty-five days before the expiry date of your current permit.

Around this period, you will receive a writing notice from your local county’s sheriff, reminding you of the renewal.

If you complete the renewal process before the expiry date, your permit will remain valid until the sheriff denies your renewal application or until you get a new license.

If you do not begin the renewal application until your permit eventually expires, you have a sixty-day grace after the expiry date to renew it.

In these sixty days, your current permit will be invalid, and this means you cannot conceal carry in this period.

The local county sheriff’s office is in charge of a renewal application.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With North Carolina

North Carolina accepts pistol permits from every jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Other aspects of its reciprocity include the following:

States That Recognize Pistol Permits From North Carolina

You can possess firearms with your North Carolina gun license in this state. But it is compulsory to comply with the gun laws of the states while handling the firearm. They are:

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming
• Puerto Rico

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity

These states have partial reciprocity with North Carolina because you must still meet specific criteria as a permit holder before you open or conceal carry within their territory. They include the following:

• Colorado
• Florida
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina

States That Have Permitless Carry Policy

In these states, you can possess firearms without a permit, and this is because of their permitless policy. However, some of them may require that you meet a specific age limit before you possess firearms.

• Arizona
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In North Carolina

Some of the most frequently asked questions about pistol permit application in North Carolina Includes the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In North Carolina?

To conceal carry firearms in North Carolina, you must have a gun license.

For How Long Is North Carolina Gun Permit Valid?

The permit is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit.

Can Non-Residents Apply For North Carolina Firearm Permits?

No, North Carolina gun license is only available to residents of the state and the military members posted for duties in the state.

The process for military members is the same as that of residents of the state.

How Can I Change The Name And Address On My North Carolina Gun License?

To update details on your gun license, visit your county sheriff’s office because the requirements vary from counties to counties. In some counties, you can do this at no cost.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Permit Or It Gets Stolen?

For stolen or missing permits in North Carolina, you have to get a duplicate permit at a fifteen dollars’ fee. Visit your county office for more information.

How Soon Can I Apply For North Carolina Gun Permit After Moving To The State?

You must be a resident of North Carolina for at least thirty days before you can apply for a pistol license at the county closest to your home residence.

Can I Make Use Of North Carolina Gun Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

No, upon establishing residency in another state, your North Carolina gun license expires immediately.

Do I Need A North Carolina Gun Permit To Open Carry In The State?

No, you do not need a gun license to open carry firearms in North Carolina.

North Carolina is a permissive open carry state, and anybody, eighteen or more, that still has legal rights to possess firearms can open carry in the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Apply For North Carolina Permit?

You must meet the minimum age requirement of twenty-one years old before applying for a pistol license in North Carolina.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In North Carolina?

Yes, to buy handguns in North Carolina, you must have a pistol permit.

Does My Firearm Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In North Carolina?

Yes, North Carolina gun license holders do not have to complete a criminal record check before purchasing firearms in the state.

Do I Need A North Carolina Concealed Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No, as long as you are on your private property, personal business, or dwelling place, you do not need a gun permit to possess firearms.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Applying For North Carolina Pistol Permit?

Yes, you must complete a state-approved firearm training before you can apply for a pistol permit in North Carolina.

What Is The Processing Period For Gun Permits In North Carolina?

The processing days for a gun license in North Carolina is forty-five days.

Is North Carolina A Preemption Gun Law State?

Yes, the state government reserves all rights to control the use of firearms within the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Possess Firearms In North Carolina?

You must be at least eighteen years old to possess firearms in North Carolina.

Relevant Gun Laws Permits And Legislature In North Carolina

Some of North Carolina pistol license law that you must know before you possess firearms in the state include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles

To conceal carry firearms in a private car, you must have a North Carolina gun license.

If you are not a permit holder, then the firearm must either be in plain view or locked away in a case or trunk of the vehicle, unloaded.

[N.C. Dept. of Public Safety FAQs]

Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas

According to the gun law, [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c3)], as long as you are a permit holder, you can conceal carry firearms in the state roadside areas.

Possession Of Firearms In State Parks, Forests, Or Wildlife Management Areas

With a pistol permit issued in North Carolina, you can possess firearms in State parks, forests, and wildlife management areas. For more information about this, visit the park’s website.

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c1) and (C3)]

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurant And Bar Areas

According to the statute, [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-269.3], you can conceal carry firearms in restaurant and bar ventures if you are a permit holder.

The only exception to this is if there is a post prohibiting or under the influence of alcohol.

Possession Of Firearms In Hotel

It is a prohibition to carry open or conceal carry firearms, with or without a gun license, on any private business or property where there is a sign that prohibits the possession of weapons, or the landowner verbally communicates this.

Hotels can develop privacy policies against the possession of firearms in their environs, and you should visit their webpage for more information on this.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c)(8)]

Additional Resources

North Carolina Gun Laws
North Carolina Concealed Carry Laws
North Carolina Open Carry Laws