North Carolina Gun Laws

North Carolina is considered unrestrictive and operates on a “Shall Issue” basis.

There are limited restrictions for open carry, and there are no restrictions for magazine size or caliber.

You must be a resident of North Carolina, 21, and have completed a firearms training course to obtain a permit.

There are exceptions for military personal if they’re posted at the state.

A permit is required to purchase a firearm and applications are processed at the county level by the local sheriff’s office.

North Carolina Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes!
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes!
Carry In State Park?	Yes!
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes!
Constitutional Carry?	No
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	Yes!
Must Notify Officer?	Yes!

North Carolina CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring North Carolina CCW

States NOT Honoring North Carolina CCW

North Carolina Honors These States CCW Permits

How Reciprocity Works In North Carolina

North Carolina will honor concealed carry permits that have been issued in any other state. There are 38 states that will honor a North Carolina permit, 6 of these states will only honor the residential permit.

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Reciprocity Agreements In North Carolina

North Carolina has signed reciprocity agreements with 36 other states. An official list of these states can be seen at the Attorney Generals website.

North Carolina: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
Parade (with permit)
Funeral (with permit)
School campus (with permit) – must remain locked in vehicle, cannot be carried on school grounds.
All areas of the state – except those listed as Off-Limits

Places Not Allowed

Law enforcement office or facility
Detention or correctional facility
A building or part of building housing in which there are state offices.
Any public or private school building or bus, campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic fields or other property used or owned by an educational institution.
Schools, public or private, all levels including universities. Gun can remain locked in vehicle, if you have a permit.
A curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school
Any places of assemblies such as a picket line, demonstration, parade or funeral procession. Carry at a parade or funeral is now allowed if you have a permit.
On any private premises where notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited
State Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, the Western Residence of the Governor, or on the grounds of any of these buildings
Any place alcohol beverages are consumed or sold, – applies to restaurants if posted.
Any person consuming alcohol or under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol.
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

North Carolina: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

YES – WITHOUT A PERMIT Open carry is legal in North Carolina. You may not carry in places listed as Off-Limit areas and local governments can place limited restrictions on open carry in some locations. The Law 160A-189 – Firearms 153A-129 – Firearms

Carry In Vehicle

YES – WITHOUT A PERMIT A person without a CCW permit can carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle if it is not concealed and visible, and they have no felony convictions. The current definition of concealed is if the handgun cannot be readily seen by a person approaching and the gun is readily accessible. A handgun under the front seat or in an unlocked glove box or console is illegal. A handgun openly displayed or in a locked glove box, locked console, or in the trunk is lawful. If you have a permit from North Carolina you may carry a loaded concealed handgun within a vehicle.

Carry In State Parks

YES It is legal to carry in the following areas; State Parks: YES – 14-415.11(c1) (Concealed handguns only) State/National Forests: YES State Wildlife Management Areas: YES – 14-415.11(c3) Road Side Rest Areas: YES – 14-415.11(c3)

Carry In Restaurants

YES If the restaurant is not posted with a “No Weapons” sign then it is OK to enter. “Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol. The Law 14-269.3

Constitutional Carry

North Carolina does not have constitutional carry yet. In 2017 a bill to introduce permit-less carry passed the lower stages of the house so we are still waiting to see if it actually becomes law.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

YES

North Carolina gun laws give “No Weapons” signs the force of law. There are legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs.

Must Notify Officer

YES – MUST INFORM OFFICER North Carolina gun laws state that you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. You are required to carry your permit at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun. The Law 14-415.21