North Carolina Concealed Carry Quick Facts
- Permit Type:ย Shall Issueโ
- Constitutional Carry (Permitless): No
- Issuing Authority:ย County Sheriff’s Officeโ
- Minimum Age Requirement:ย 21 years oldโ
- Permit Validity:ย 5 yearsโ
- Application Fee:ย $80โ
- Processing Time:ย Up to 45 daysโ
Latest Defensive Gun Uses and Firearm News in North Carolina
North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP):
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years oldโ
- Complete an approved firearms training courseโ
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residentโ
- Not have any disqualifying criminal convictionsโ
- Meet all federal and state requirements for firearm possessionโ
Application Process:
- Apply in person at the sheriff’s office in your county of residenceโ
- Submit the completed application along with the required fee and identificationโ
- Provide proof of completion of an approved firearms training courseโ
- Undergo a background checkโ
- Processing may take up to 45 daysโ
Example Resident Permit:
Open Carry Laws:
- General Rule:ย Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit for individuals who are at least 18 years old and legally allowed to possess a firearm.โ
- Exceptions:ย Open carry may be restricted in certain locations, such as government buildings, schools, and private properties that prohibit firearms.โ
Vehicle Carry Laws:
- With a Permit:ย Individuals with a valid CHP may carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle.โ
- Without a Permit:ย Without a CHP, a handgun must be visible if carried in a vehicle; concealed carry without a permit is prohibited.โ
Reciprocity:
North Carolina recognizes concealed carry permits from all other states.ย However, individuals must carry their permit while carrying a concealed handgun and must adhere to North Carolina’s laws while in the state.โ
Check theย ourย Concealed Carry Mapsย for up-to-date information.
Prohibited Locations:
Even with a valid permit, carrying concealed firearms is prohibited in certain locations, including:
- Educational propertyโ
- State or federal buildingsโ
- Law enforcement agenciesโ
- Correctional facilitiesโ
- Private properties where firearms are prohibited by the ownerโ
Recent Legal Developments:
- In 2024, North Carolina repealed the requirement for a permit to purchase a handgun, aligning with the state’s existing concealed carry permit laws.โ
Additional Resources:
- North Carolina General Assembly: Firearms Laws
- North Carolina Department of Justice: Concealed Handgun Reciprocity
Go To Another State’s Concealed Carry Page
To view a state’s concealed carry permit information click on the state. The state’s color represents whether a state is Shall Issue, May Issue, Constitutional Carry, or Right Denied.
Shall Issue to Residents Only:
California, Colorado, Georgia, Guam, Michigan, New Mexico
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
May Issue to Residents Only:
Delaware, Virgin Islands
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only:
Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia
Constitutional Carry and Does Not Issue Permits:
Vermont
Right Denied:
American Samoa, N. Mariana Islands
Disclaimer
We try to keep the information on this page as up-to-date as possible, but it is your responsibility to verify all information due to changing laws. The information on this page is for informational purposes only and not to provide legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Website, emails, or any links within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between USA Carry LLC and the user or browser. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the views of USA Carry LLC.