North Carolina Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal for anyone at least 18 years old to purchase without a permit. Concealed carry is legal only on an individual’s own premises. The state also specifically prohibits carrying a stun gun on school property, or helping a minor do so.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-269 and 269.2]

No. North Carolina does not impose a maximum magazine capacity for handguns.

No. North Carolina does not allow constitutional carry.

North Carolina is a shall-issue state.

No. A North Carolina CHP does not allow the concealed carry of non-handgun weapons.

Yes. Anyone with a permit may carry at roadside rest areas in North Carolina​.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c3)]

Yes, with a valid concealed carry permit, unless posted and provided you do not consume any alcohol or have any alcohol in your system.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-269.3]

Yes, with a permit. Without a permit, a weapon cannot be BOTH concealed and readily accessible to a person. Therefore a handgun would need to be either openly displayed or in a locked glove box, locked console or in the trunk. A handgun under the front seat or in an unlocked glove box or console is illegal. 

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

Yes. You have a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm upon initial contact.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.21]

Yes. Your North Carolina driver’s license is linked to your North Carolina concealed handgun permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license.

Yes. A permit does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun on any private premises that are posted prohibiting firearms.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-415.11 and 14-415.21]

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in North Carolina, except a unit of local government may post recreational areas such as playgrounds, athletic facilities and swimming pools.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.23][N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-409.40]

Not 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, but a person does not violate this condition if a controlled substance in the person's blood was lawfully obtained and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts or if the person is on the person's own property.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c2)]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No.

Yes. A concealed carry permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a handgun on the person's own premises.

[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §14-269]

Yes.

No.

The sheriff has 45 days from the time mental health records are received to either issue or deny a permit.

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have completed an approved firearms training class (there are exemptions for law enforcement);
• Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident alien;
• Be a resident of North Carolina for 30 days preceding the filing of the application;
• Be a resident of the county in which the application is filed;
• Not be under indictment for a felony or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony;
• Not have been adjudicated guilty of a felony in any court, unless: the felony is an offense that pertains to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices or restraints of trade, or the person’s firearm rights have been restored pursuant to state law;
• Not be a fugitive from justice;
• Not suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun;
• Not have been discharged from the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable;
• Not be an unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana, alcohol or any depressant, stimulant or narcotic drug or other controlled substance;
• Not have been adjudicated guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for one or more specified crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor within 3 years of the date of application;
• Not have been adjudicated guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor for certain types of assault and battery, stalking, child abuse and domestic criminal trespass crimes, and a violation of a protective order;
• Not have been adjudicated guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for one or more crimes involving an assault or a threat to assault a law enforcement officer, probation or parole officer, person employed at a State or local detention facility, firefighter, emergency medical technician, medical responder or emergency department personnel;
• Not have been convicted of an impaired driving offense within 3 years prior to the date on which the application is submitted;
• Not have had judgment continued for or free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a disqualifying criminal offense;
• Not currently be or has not been adjudicated or administratively determined to be lacking mental capacity or mentally ill; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of North Carolina.

5 years

North Carolina only issues non-resident permits to members of the military permanently posted in North Carolina. The process is the same as for residents.

You will need to check with your local sheriff’s office as the requirements may vary. There is a $15 duplicate permit fee.

• Carry in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, unless posted and provided you do not consume any alcohol or have any alcohol in your system.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No, only with a permit. Without a permit, a concealed handgun must not be readily accessible. Storage in a locked glove box, locked console or in the trunk is lawful. An openly displayed handgun is also allowed. 
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes.
• Carry in places of worship? Yes. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms. Furthermore, carrying at places of worship that are attached to school properties is now legal (with a concealed handgun permit) so long as school is not in session or children are not present for any school or extracurricular activites. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 1.(b)]

Yes. On State-owned game lands, and all other lands unless prohibited by the landowner, persons may lawfully carry any firearm openly that they are otherwise lawfully entitled to possess, and may also carry a concealed handgun if they possess a current and valid concealed handgun permit issued to them. However, persons may not hunt with any firearm being carried unless such firearm is authorized as a lawful method of take for that open season. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission maintains a list of exempted game lands where concealed carry is prohibited.

[NC Wildlife Resources Commission]

Yes.

Per § 14-12.7 and § 14-12,8, it is illegal for anyone over 16 years old to wear a mask, hood or disguise that conceals the identity of the wearer, on any public way or on public property in the State. However, a law was enacted during the pandemic to create an exemption.

SB 704/SESSION LAW 2020-3(6) Any person wearing a mask for the purpose of ensuring the physical health or safety of the wearer or others is exempt from the provisions of G.S. 14-12.7, 14-12.8, 14-12.9, 14-12.10 and 14-12.14.