Gun laws in North Carolina regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
North Carolina is a permissive state for firearms ownership. The state maintains concealed carry reciprocity with any other state so long as the permit is valid.
Summary table
State constitutional provisions
Article I, section 30 of the Constitution of North Carolina states:
“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained, and the military shall be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice.”
Common law
North Carolina is a common law state. Appearing in a public place, armed with a firearm, may be an affray at common law depending on the circumstances. In State v. Huntley (1843), it was ruled, in part:
It has been remarked that a double-barrel gun, or any other gun, cannot in this country come under the description of "unusual weapons," for there is scarcely a man in the community who does not own and occasionally use a gun of some sort. But we do not feel the force of this criticism. A gun is an "unusual weapon," wherewith to be armed and clad. No man amongst us carries it about with him, as one of his every day accoutrements—as a part of his dress—and never, we trust, will the day come when any deadly weapon will be worn or wielded in our peace-loving and law-abiding State, as an appendage of manly equipment. But although a gun is an "unusual weapon," it is to be remembered that the carrying of a gun, per se, constitutes no (sic) offence. For any lawful purpose—either of business or amusement—the citizen is at perfect liberty to carry his gun. It is the wicked purpose, and the mischievous result, which essentially constitute the crime. He shall not carry about this or any other weapon of death to terrify and alarm, and in such manner as naturally will terrify and alarm a peaceful people'
Because of State v. Huntley, and other court rulings, caution is urged as to the areas a person frequents with firearms.
Automatic rifles and machine guns
NFA weapons such as registered fully automatic firearms, short-barreled shotguns, and suppressors are legal to own by private citizens in North Carolina so long as ATF regulations are followed.
ATF requires the transfer of fully automatic weapons to be in compliance with State and Local laws. North Carolina General Statute 14-409 Machine Guns and Other Like Weapons, states “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to manufacture, sell, give away, dispose of, use or possess machine guns, submachine guns, or other like weapons…”. The statute goes further to outline seven specific exceptions allowing for the lawful possession of such weapons in the state of North Carolina: Banks, merchants, and recognized business establishments for use in their respective places of business,who shall first apply to and receive from the sheriff of the county in which said business is located, a permit to possess the said weapons for the purpose of defending the said business; United States Army, when in discharge of their official duties; Officers and soldiers of the militia when called into actual service; Officers of the State, or of any county, city or town … when acting in the discharge of their official duties; The manufacture, use or possession of such weapons for scientific or experimental purposes; Resident of this State who now owns a machine gun used in former wars, as a relic or souvenir may retain and keep same as his or her property. A person who lawfully possesses or owns a weapon in compliance with 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, §§ 5801-5871.
Any other possession or use of fully automatic weapons in North Carolina is unlawful.
Acquiring a handgun
To acquire a handgun in North Carolina an individual must complete ATF Form 4473 at an FFL licensed seller or through private sales. The seller is required to complete a background check using the National Instant Criminal System (NICS). Completing a NICS check is not required if one has a concealed handgun permit. North Carolina previously had a Pistol Purchase Permit system that was a holdover from Jim Crow laws that were designed to prevent African-Americans and other minorities from easily obtaining handguns. However, the pistol purchase permit law was repealed March 29, 2023.