This information is provided, as a public service, for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be relied upon as legal authority for the North Carolina firearms laws.

North Carolina Firearms Law

General Information

Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the gun is to be used. Generally, laws require the following:

Permits to buy handguns in North Carolina can be obtained from the county sheriff (or, in 10 counties, the clerk of superior court). In Cabarrus County it is the Sheriff's Office.

Guns must be carried in plain view. Guns must not be carried in a pocket, purse, under a car seat or in any other concealed manner unless you have a concealed handgun permit.

History

On February 28, 1994, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act became law. The Brady Law established numerous procedures to govern purchases of firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers. On November 30, 1998, the permanent provisions of the Brady Law took effect. The permanent provisions of the Brady Law provide for the establishment of a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) that federally licensed firearms dealers must contact before transferring any firearm (handgun or long gun) to people. The NICS system is operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Effective December 1, 1995, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) decided that the handgun permitting scheme established in North Carolina complies with the exceptions provided in the Brady Law. Therefore, North Carolina's handgun purchase permits will suffice as a suitable alternative method for the purchase of a firearm in North Carolina from a federally licensed firearms dealer under Brady.

Therefore all firearm sales from federally licensed dealers after November 30, 1998 must include a NICS inquiry or a recognized alternative such as a valid pistol purchase permit.

Federal Requirements

Unless an alternative is recognized, if a person wants to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer, the dealer must contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation's NICS Operations Center by telephone. The dealer will provide pertinent information about the purchaser to the NICS Center, which will in turn conduct a check of the available databases to see if the person is disqualified to receive or possess firearms.

The NICS databases will include:

(1) Illegal/Unlawful Aliens File

(2) Controlled Substance Abuse File

(3) Dishonorable Discharge File

(4) Citizenship Renunciants File

(5) Mental Commitments File

(6) Wanted Persons File

(7) Domestic Violence Protection Order File

(8) Criminal History File

Prior to the sale taking place, the firearm's dealer will have the purchaser complete and sign ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transactions Record. He will then verify the identity of the purchaser by examining a Government issued photo identification (for example, a driver's license). The dealer will then contact NICS. The NICS Center will respond to the dealer with either a "proceed", "denied" or "delayed" response. If a "denied" response is received the dealer will provide the person with literature on their appellate rights. If a "delayed" response is received and there is no additional response from the system, the sale can take place after three business days have elapsed. Federal Firearms Licensees' (FFLs) must keep a copy of each ATF 4473 for which a NICS check has been initiated, regardless of whether the transfer of the firearm was completed. If the transfer is not completed, the FFL must keep the Form 4473 for five years after the date of the NICS inquiry. If the transfer is completed, the FFL must keep the Form 4473 for 20 years after the date of the sale or disposition.

The Brady law recognizes certain alternatives to the NICS checks. Since North Carolina handgun purchase permits qualify as an alternative to a NICS check, a firearms dealer may conclude a sale of a handgun or long gun without a NICS check, if the purchaser delivers a valid pistol purchase permit to the dealer.

NOTE: North Carolina law allows for the purchase of a single handgun with a single valid purchase permit. Multiple long guns may be purchased with a single pistol purchase permit, however they must be purchased in a single transaction.

Handgun Purchase Permit Requirements

Applicant must:

  1. be a citizen, a naturalized citizen or a resident alien;
  2. be eighteen (18) years of age;
  3. have attained at least one month's residency in Cabarrus County;
  4. provide a valid driver's license or other picture ID provided by the state of North Carolina, with current address;
  5. provide 3 references with day time phone numbers (one reference must be a spouse, roommate, etc. if applicable)

A criminal background check must be performed before granting of permit.

Permit to purchase a handgun costs five dollars ($5.00) and you may obtain up to 4 permits at one time.

Permit to purchase a handgun is valid for a period of five (5) years from date of issue, unless your address changes.

Concealed Handgun Permits

As of December 1, 1995, certain residents of North Carolina may be eligible to obtain a permit which would allow them to carry a concealed handgun under certain conditions. No other weapons can be carried concealed pursuant to this permit. Once issued, the permit is valid throughout the state of North Carolina for a period of 5 years, unless it is revoked.

In order to acquire a concealed handgun permit, an individual must apply to the Sheriff’s Office in the county you live in.

Starting June 1, 2010 the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting applications for Concealed Handgun Permits by appointment only. This applies to New and Renewal applications.

Once completing your North Carolina Firearms Safety Course (which must be taught by an instructor approved by the North Carolina Training Standards Commission) you will need to contact the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office at 704-920-3100 to set up an appointment.

If you are applying for a NEW Concealed Handgun Permit you will need to bring the following to your appointment:

  • Valid North Carolina Driver’s License (showing your correct address).
  • Original certificate of completion for firearms safety course.
  • DD-214 or similar proof of military discharge status for applicants that have previously served in the military. (we need a copy of your DD-214 forms for every tour of duty).
  • For your convenience all paperwork will be filled out for you when you arrive for the appointment.

If making application to RENEW a concealed handgun permit you would not need to bring another copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate or DD-214 form, unless you have completed another term of military service.

A criminal background check will be conducted on ALL applicants. In order to be approved to receive a concealed handgun permit, an applicant must, among other things:

  • Be a citizen of the United States (born or naturalized)

  • Be at least 21 years of age;

  • Have been a resident of Cabarrus County for the past 30 days prior to filing the application (or proof of dual residence, call for further);

  • Not suffer from any physical or mental infirmity which would prevent the safe handling and operation of a firearm;

  • Successfully complete an approved firearms training and safety course.

Concealed Handgun Permit Cost:

  • First time applications - $90.00, non-refundable permit/ fingerprint fee

  • Renewal applications - $75.00 (if fingerprints are not on file $85.00)

You will be notified by phone when your permit is ready to be picked up. Permits will be picked up in person at the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. You must bring your valid North Carolina Driver’s License in order to pick up your permit. If an applicant’s permit is denied they will receive a written explanation from the Sheriff of Cabarrus County within 90 days.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to renew the permit before it expires. The permit will expire at 12:00am on the date listed on the card. However a new law (G.S. 14-415.16 (e) has been passed that states if a permitee does not apply to renew the permit prior to its expiration date, but does apply to renew the permit within 60 days after the permit expires, the Sheriff may waive the requirement of taking another firearms safety and training course. This does not extend the expiration date of the permit. And the cost will be $80.00. You can renew your permit up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. If a permit expires, an individual may not carry his or her weapon concealed until a new permit has been received by the applicant.

If you are moving from another state into North Carolina you will need to follow our laws regarding Concealed Carry. North Carolina Firearms Laws

The state of North Carolina does not honor out of state permits when it comes up for renewal, your applications will be considered new. However North Carolina has reciprocity with other states. Those states recognizing North Carolina’s concealed handgun permittees will automatically be granted reciprocity for carrying concealed handguns within North Carolina. The states granting such reciprocity, recognized by North Carolina, will be a constantly changing list. Concealed Weapons Reciprocity

If you are moving from county to county, applicant must apply for an address change through the county you are moving from. To apply for an address change you must provide a North Carolina Drivers License or North Carolina ID with the address you are moving to.
 
E-mail comments to pjpatterson@co.cabarrus.nc.us
If you have an emergency or need a deputy to respond do not email, call 911 for an emergency.

Sheriff's Office of Cabarrus County
30 Corban Avenue SE
Concord NC, 28025
(704) 920-3000