North Carolina Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

North Carolina: Gun Laws Summary

North Carolina is a shall-issue state with concealed handgun permits issued at the county level by the local sheriff’s office.

Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit. Counties may regulate the display of firearms on public roads, sidewalks, alleys or other public property. The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and the State Capitol grounds.

Concealed carry is legal for residents with a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) and for non-residents with any valid license/permit. North Carolina CHP’s are issued to residents and members of the military permanently posted in North Carolina and require a firearms training course that has been approved by the state. The minimum age is 21 years old. In terms of reciprocity, North Carolina recognizes permits from all states, regardless of the age of the permit holder.

Use of Force

A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that the conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force.

Immunity from Liability

Force which is intended or likely to cause death or bodily injury is immune from civil or criminal liability or the wrongful death of a person against whom such force was used if the use of such force was justified.

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-51.2 and § 14-51.3

Self-Defense

North Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” statute.

A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat in any place a person has the lawful right to be if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another; or if a person is in one’s home, vehicle or workplace and provided that the person against whom the defensive force was used was an unlawful intruder or was attempting to forcibly and unlawfully enter.

Use of Deadly Force

A person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat in any place he or she has the lawful right to be if either of the following applies:

The person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another.

The lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle or workplace is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent death or serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily harm to another if both of the following apply:

The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering or had unlawfully and forcibly entered a home, motor vehicle or workplace, or that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against that person’s will from the home, motor vehicle or workplace; and
The person who uses defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred.

“Home” is defined as a building or conveyance of any kind, including its curtilage, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed as a temporary or permanent residence.

North Carolina: Gun Laws at a Glance


Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in North Carolina?	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal for anyone at least 18 years old to purchase without a permit. Concealed carry is legal only on an individual’s own premises. The state also specifically prohibits carrying a stun gun on school property, or helping a minor do so.[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-269 and 269.2]
Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in North Carolina?	Yes, possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful for use by individuals who have not been convicted of a felony, for self-defense purposes only. No permit is required. The capacity of any tear gas device or container may not exceed 150cc. Tear gas cartridges or shells must not exceed 50cc, and tear gas devices or containers may not have the capability of discharging any cartridge, shell or container larger than 50cc.[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-401.6]
Does North Carolina have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?	No. North Carolina does not impose a maximum magazine capacity for handguns.
Does North Carolina have ammunition restrictions?	Yes. The possession and sale of teflon-coated bullets is prohibited.[N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-34.3(a)]
Does North Carolina allow constitutional carry?	No. North Carolina does not allow constitutional carry.
Is open carry permitted in North Carolina?	Yes, without a permit. however, counties may regulate the display of firearms on public roads, sidewalks, alleys or other public property.[N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 160A-189] [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 153A-129]
If North Carolina requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?	North Carolina is a shall-issue state.
What is the minimum age in North Carolina to get a concealed carry permit?	You must be 21 to apply for a concealed carry permit in North Carolina.
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in North Carolina with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?	No. A North Carolina CHP does not allow the concealed carry of non-handgun weapons.

North Carolina: Carry Locations


Carrying at Roadside Rest Areas	Yes. Anyone with a permit may carry at roadside rest areas in North Carolina. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c3)]
Carrying in State/National Parks, State/National Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas	Yes, with a valid concealed carry permit, although firearms are prohibited in state park visitor centers and park offices. In addition, firearms are prohibited on lands and waters at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state recreation areas managed by the state parks system but owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in North Carolina. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c1) and (C3) and 36 C.F.R. § 327.13]
Carrying in Bars and Restaurants that Serve Alcohol	Yes, with a valid concealed carry permit, unless posted and provided you do not consume any alcohol or have any alcohol in your system. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-269.3]
Carrying on Hotel Property	It is a crime for any person to knowingly carry concealed on or about his person on any private premises where notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a conspicuous notice or statement by the person in legal possession or control of the premises. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c)(8)]
Carrying a Handgun in a Vehicle	Yes, with a permit. Without a permit, a weapon cannot be BOTH concealed and readily accessible to a person. Therefore a handgun would need to be either openly displayed or in a locked glove box, locked console or in the trunk. A handgun under the front seat or in an unlocked glove box or console is illegal. [N.C. Dept. of Public Safety FAQs]
Storing Firearms in Private Vehicles in an Employee Parking Lot	North Carolina statutes address specific employees only. Detention personnel or correctional officers and legislators or legislative employees employed by the State or a unit of local government who park a vehicle in a space that is authorized for their use in the course of their duties may transport a firearm to the parking space and store that firearm in the vehicle parked in the parking space, provided that: (i) the firearm is in a closed compartment or container within the locked vehicle, or (ii) the firearm is in a locked container securely affixed to the vehicle. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-269][N.C.Gen. Stat. Ann. § 120-32.1]

North Carolina: Key State Laws


Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in North Carolina?	Yes. You have a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm upon initial contact. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.21]
Does North Carolina have a red flag law?	North Carolina does not have a red flag law.
Is my North Carolina driver’s license linked to my North Carolina carry permit?	Yes. Your North Carolina driver’s license is linked to your North Carolina concealed handgun permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license.
Does North Carolina state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in North Carolina law. If any person shall point any gun or pistol at any person, either in fun or otherwise, whether such gun or pistol be loaded or not loaded, he shall be guilty of a crime. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-34] A person who engages in fighting or other violent conduct or in conduct creating the threat of imminent fighting or other violence has committed the crime of disorderly conduct. [N.C. Gen Stat. Ann. § 14-288.4]
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	Yes. A permit does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun on any private premises that are posted prohibiting firearms. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 14-415.11 and 14-415.21]
Does North Carolina issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?	Only for members of the military permanently posted in North Carolina.
Does North Carolina have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in North Carolina, except a unit of local government may post recreational areas such as playgrounds, athletic facilities and swimming pools. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.23][N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-409.40]
Does North Carolina allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No, however the information is available for law enforcement.
Does North Carolina have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or Controlled Substances?	Not while consuming alcohol or at any time while the person has remaining in the person’s body any alcohol or in the person’s blood a controlled substance previously consumed, but a person does not violate this condition if a controlled substance in the person’s blood was lawfully obtained and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts or if the person is on the person’s own property. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-415.11(c2)] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

North Carolina: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Handgun Registration	No.
Minimum Age for Handgun Possession and Transport	You must be 18 years old to possess or transport a handgun in North Carolina. [N.C.Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14‐269.7]
Handgun Possession and Transport in Home	Yes. A concealed carry permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm to carry a handgun on the person’s own premises. [N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §14-269]
Background Checks for Private Gun Sales	No.
Concealed Carry Permit and Background Checks	Yes.
Handgun Purchase Permit	No. On March 29, 2023, the General Assembly of North Carolina voted to override the governor’s veto of SB 41. A permit to purchase is no longer required.
Handgun Waiting Period	No.