What Are North Carolina Gun Carry Laws?

North Carolina is an open-carry state. But like all states, North Carolina gun carry laws regulate the sale, possession, and use of guns and other deadly weapons.

Learn more about North Carolina gun carry laws, the penalties that can be imposed for violating them, and how North Carolina criminal defense attorney Ryan Stowe can help if you have been charged with violating a North Carolina gun law.

North Carolina Concealed-Carry Laws

It is illegal to carry a concealed weapon in North Carolina unless you:

• Are on your own property
• Are a law enforcement officer or are authorized to carry a concealed weapon as part of your official duties
• Have a valid concealed carry permit (also known as a CCH permit)

North Carolina does recognize concealed carry permits from other jurisdictions.

If you do not have a concealed carry permit and are charged with violating North Carolina concealed carry laws, you face criminal charges that range from an infraction to a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Places Where It Is Illegal to Carry a Gun in North Carolina

There are certain places in North Carolina where it is illegal to carry a weapon regardless of whether or not you have a concealed weapons permit or are visibly carrying a firearm. It is illegal to carry firearms and other deadly weapons:

• On school property
• In places where alcohol is sold and consumed
• In facilities that charge admission (unless business owners and event participants have permission from the event sponsor)
• At parades, funeral processions, picket lines, and demonstrations
• In courthouses, law enforcement, and correctional facilities, and on some government property
• On private property that has notices posted prohibiting concealed handguns

There are exceptions for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and security guards.

People Prohibited From Carrying a Firearm in North Carolina

The following categories of people are prohibited from carrying a firearm in North Carolina:

• Children under the age of 18 are prohibited from carrying a gun in North Carolina unless they are hunting outside city limits with parental permission or are engaging in educational or recreational activities with adult supervision.
• Convicted felons. A person who has been convicted of a felony is prohibited from carrying a firearm unless they have been pardoned or had their gun rights restored.
• Domestic violence offenders. People who have been convicted of a domestic violence crime or who are subject to a domestic violence protective order are prohibited from carrying a firearm.
• People who are consuming alcohol. It is illegal to possess a firearm if you are consuming alcohol or under the influence of alcohol or another controlled substance.

Penalties for Violating North Carolina Gun Carry Laws

North Carolina considers a defendant’s prior criminal record when sentencing people convicted of violating North Carolina gun carry laws, so penalties will vary according to the specific factors of a person’s case and their criminal history.

However, many North Carolina gun carry violations are felonies, punishable by between 2 months and 44 months in prison.

It is a misdemeanor to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or to carry a weapon on certain state property. A violation carries penalties that include up to 60 days in jail.

How The Stowe Law Firm, PLLC Can Help

If you have been charged with violating North Carolina gun carry laws, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help.

Salisbury, North Carolina criminal defense attorney Ryan Stowe understands and can explain North Carolina gun carry laws. If you have been charged with violating a North Carolina gun carry law, he will thoroughly investigate the charges against you and the circumstances surrounding your arrest. He will challenge the evidence the prosecutor intends to introduce to try to convict you, and he will fight hard to have evidence excluded and the charges against you dismissed.

The Stowe Law Firm, PLLC proudly represents people in Rowan County, Mecklenburg County, Davidson County, Cabarrus County, and Stanly County.

We invite you to learn more about our team and the cases we handle, to get answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and to contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.