Gun Laws in North Carolina
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
North Carolina's moderate score of 58 reflects the state's mixed approach to gun laws, with some restrictions balanced by constitutional carry and strong self-defense protections.
North Carolina Gun Laws Summary
North Carolina presents a mixed picture for gun rights, ranking in the middle tier of states for gun friendliness. The state has made significant progress in recent years with the adoption of constitutional carry, but still maintains several restrictions that limit its overall gun-friendly ranking.
North Carolina is a shall-issue state for concealed handgun permits, and the state sheriff handles permit issuance in each county. Qualifying applicants will receive their permits without discretionary denial. While permits are no longer required for concealed carry, obtaining one still provides advantages including reciprocity with other states and exemption from background checks when purchasing firearms.
On December 1, 2023, North Carolina became a constitutional carry state when House Bill 50 took effect. Any law-abiding citizen or legal resident who is at least 18 years old and legally permitted to possess a firearm can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. This change significantly improved North Carolina's standing among gun-friendly states, though other restrictions remain in place.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
North Carolina requires a pistol purchase permit or concealed handgun permit to purchase handguns from dealers or private parties. Background checks are conducted for all sales through federally licensed dealers (FFLs) as required by federal law, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Private sales of handguns require the purchaser to have either a pistol purchase permit or concealed handgun permit. Long guns can be sold privately without permits or background checks. North Carolina does not maintain a registry of firearm transfers or firearm ownership, though pistol purchase permits create a de facto registration system for handguns.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
North Carolina is a constitutional carry state where no permit is required for concealed carry by eligible residents aged 18 and older. Non-residents must be at least 21 years old to carry concealed without a permit. North Carolina honors concealed carry permits from all states.
Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone 18 years or older who can legally possess a firearm. Certain locations prohibit carry, including federal buildings, state government buildings, schools, courthouses, and establishments that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption. For those who choose to obtain a permit, North Carolina requires completion of a firearms safety and training course. The course must be at least 8 hours long and include both classroom and live-fire components.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
North Carolina has no bans on semi-automatic firearms, detachable magazines, or firearms with specific features. There are no magazine capacity restrictions. All NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, etc.) are legal to own provided federal requirements are met. However, North Carolina does not have strong preemption laws, allowing some local governments to enact more restrictive regulations than state law.
Local Laws
North Carolina has limited preemption of firearms laws. While the state prohibits local governments from regulating the ownership, possession, storage, transportation, carrying, or registration of firearms, local governments can still regulate the discharge of firearms within their jurisdiction and may prohibit or regulate the carrying of firearms in publicly owned buildings, parks, and other facilities. This creates some variation in gun laws across different municipalities within the state.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
North Carolina Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
This piece discusses the ammunition and firearms laws in North Carolina. To do so, the piece starts off by covering the ammo laws with the goal of describing the requirements and processes of having ammo shipped to a residential address in the state. From there, we discuss the gun-related laws in the state in terms of the rules around purchasing, and then carrying, firearms in the state. Wrapping things up, the piece concludes with some resources that you will find useful if you’re interested in firearms and ammo in North Carolina.
We do not intend this piece to be legal advice. Instead, it is our hope that you use the information here to do your own research so that you can make informed decisions.
Like many states, North Carolina has preemption: this means that the state government forbids localities from making gun and ammo laws that are stricter than those at the state level. There is one small exception in North Carolina, however: localities can regulate the carriage of firearms in publicly owned buildings. Aside from that relatively uncommon exception, preemption makes life easier for gun owners since once you understand the state’s laws, that understanding applies to the state as a whole with few exceptions.
North Carolina is on the more permissive end of states when it comes to ammunition and firearm-related laws. While there are some minor bans on ammunition and permitting requirements to carry, most of these are implemented in such a way that they are not likely to be extremely onerous to the average gun owner in the state. Some might take issue with the state’s ban on having a firearm at a protest, but the state is otherwise fairly permissive when it comes to the ownership and carriage of firearms.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in North Carolina
First, we will cover the ammo laws of the state.
North Carolina has a ban on the sale, manufacture, or possession of polymer-coated handgun bullets: there are exceptions to this ban for folks in firearms research or law enforcement. These bans mirror similar federal statutes and are thus unlikely to present a major stumbling block to most people. The ban does not prevent ammo manufacturers from shipping ammunition into the state, which is good news for customers.
Aside from that single ban, which is a fairly niche one, North Carolina follows federal guidelines for the regulation of ammo sales and possession. Thus, to buy ammo in the state, the buyer simply has to follow ATF requirements. These requirements apply everywhere in the US and thus do not make a state more or less permissive on their own. They are, in effect, a baseline for the regulation of ammo sales in the country as a whole.
The ATF lays out twofold requirements for the purchasing of ammunition. First, buyers have to meet an age requirement: people have to be eighteen years of age or older to purchase ammunition for long guns such as rifles or shotguns, and at least twenty-one years old to buy handgun ammo. Secondly, buyers cannot be prohibited persons: the ATF defines prohibited persons as people who have been convicted of felonies or domestic violence, people found mentally incompetent in court, and folks who have been involuntarily committed to an inpatient mental health treatment facility.
Assuming that the buyer meets those requirements, the state of North Carolina does not take legal issue with having ammunition shipped to a residential address. Carriers can and sometimes do impose their own rules, however. For instance, some carriers ask for an adult with a valid ID to be present to sign for packages containing ammunition.
Aside from the ban on polymer-coated handgun bullets, North Carolina does not impose many restrictions on the buying of ammunition. Thus, the state’s ammo laws are pretty permissive, though they could do away with the ban entirely and be even more permissive.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in North Carolina
Next, we will do the same for NC gun laws.
North Carolina’s firearms purchasing laws are permissive. The state does not have a ban on magazines of any size, nor does the state have an in-place assault weapons ban that would ban firearms either by name or from a list of features. The state also allows its residents to own NFA-regulated items such as machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns.
Buying firearms at a gun store in North Carolina follows federal guidelines. The buyer should bring both a valid form of identification and a form of payment to the gun store. There, the FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF’s form 44773 for recordkeeping and background check purposes. Once the background check clears and payment is taken, the buyer can leave with their new firearm the same day.
North Carolina does not require private parties to do background checks when selling firearms, but it is always wise to ensure that potential buyers meet the age requirements and are not prohibited persons.
Carrying firearms is mostly permissive in North Carolina. The state allows for open carriage of firearms without a permit. To carry a concealed firearm, however, a permit is required. These permits are issued on a shall-issue basis. The North Carolina permit is fairly widely recognized by other states.
Like most states, North Carolina has a list of places where firearms are outright forbidden. In North Carolina, this list includes:
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K-12 schools (permit holders can keep their handguns locked in their vehicles in the parking lot)
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Police Stations
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Correctional Facilities
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State or federal government facilities
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Private property with signs
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Federal Property
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Picket Lines or Demonstrations
While lists like these are not unusual, prohibiting the carriage of firearms at picket lines and protests can be considered to be strict in terms of firearms laws: since protesting is protected under the First Amendment and is not thus unlawful in and of itself, being prohibited from exercising one’s Second Amendment rights while doing so is not very permissive.
Overall, North Carolina is fairly permissive in terms of its guns and ammo laws. Since it doesn’t have any major bans, getting firearms is simple and follows federal guidelines. Carriage is also fairly permissive even though the state does require a permit for concealed carry. But, the prohibition of carrying firearms while doing otherwise legal activities such as protesting or organizing might be considered a sign that the state legislature has an appetite for stricter gun laws.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in North Carolina
The base sales tax rate in North Carolina is 4.75%. Some localities add their own, up to an effective sales tax of 7.5%: the lowest we could find is 6.5%. Thus, this is one of the states where shopping around to a different FFL for tax purposes is not likely a good use of time.
More Resources
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including in North Carolina. This list can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is a great tool for finding places to shoot. Use the mileage, city, and zip code filters to find ranges that are convenient for you. Users can add new ranges, too, and the information is regularly checked for accuracy.
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There are a number of well-rated gun stores in the state.
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The Carolina Firearms Forum is an active one that covers local events relevant to firearms enthusiasts in North Carolina.