A North Carolina sheriff has been ordered by the court to stop delaying the issuance of North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permits. Using the excuse that the department was backed up due to covid and the increase in new gun owners, delayed concealed carry permits for up to a year. To take that in perspective, state law says that sheriffs have up to 45 days to either approve or deny applications.
This court decision now orders Sheriff Garry McFadden and his staff the following:
- Failing to process pistol purchase permit applications within the 14 days required by North Carolina statute;
- Failing to process concealed handgun permit applications within the 45 days required by statute;
- Failing to request mental health records to process concealed handgun applications within 10 days as required by statute; and
- Failing to process fingerprints for concealed handgun permits within 5 business days.
This litigation was filed by Grass Roots North Carolina (GRNC), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and individuals whose rights were infringed on by the sheriff.
Statement from GRNC president Paul Valone:
“In violation of North Carolina law, Sheriff Garry McFadden has been dragging his feet in processing North Carolina pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits, often taking up to a year to issue permits and preventing lawful North Carolinians from buying and carrying handguns for defense of themselves and their families.
“We believe this order sends a clear message to sheriffs in Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake counties, among others, that obstructing lawful citizens from exercising the right to keep and bear arms will no longer be tolerated. To ensure compliance by a sheriff who has so far dragged his feet, Grass Roots North Carolina advises anyone whose fingerprints are not taken with five business days of completing a concealed handgun application to contact us immediately.
“GRNC thanks Attorney Ron Shook for volunteering his time to litigate this case for our members. Ron is one of our ‘gun-friendly lawyers and helps people state-wide in fighting for their Second Amendment rights. Ron’s contact information can be found on our website under the ‘gun-friendly’ lawyers tab.”
