Eligibility Requirements for Gun Ownership
North Carolina’s requirements for gun ownership eligibility are similar to the federal ones. Here are examples of people who can’t own guns in the state:
- Convicted felons
- Anyone adjudicated insane
- Anyone adjudicated as lacking mental capacity
- Anyone who is under a domestic violence protection order
Age Requirements for Gun Ownership and Purchase
North Carolina buyers need to be at least 18 to buy a handgun from a private seller (a seller who isn’t a licensed dealer). The state has no minimum age for buying long guns from them, however.
Meanwhile, licensed dealers and their buyers must follow the federal age minimums. This is why you need to be at least 21 to buy a handgun or 18 to buy a long gun from a licensed dealer in NC.
Background Check Process
North Carolina doesn’t require background checks for private or non-dealer gun sales. The checks are only required for licensed dealer gun sales due to federal law.
When dealers run background checks on their buyers, they do so through the NICS. This is the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
How to Sell a Gun in North Carolina
It’s allowed to sell guns to either licensed dealers or private buyers in North Carolina.
When selling to private buyers, ensure they’re legally eligible to purchase guns in the state. Check that they meet the age minimum and have no legal disqualifiers for gun possession.
You can learn more in our guide for how to sell a gun in North Carolina.
Types of Firearms Regulated in North Carolina
The only firearms North Carolina regulates are machine guns and submachine guns.
As per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-409(b), these refer to “any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.”
These guns and even parts like their receivers are illegal in the state, with only a few exceptions. An example is an officer of the US Army holding the gun as part of his or her official duties.
Open Carry Regulations
North Carolina allows open carry of firearms except in sensitive locations like schools.
Concealed Carry Laws
Concealed carry requires a permit in North Carolina.
To acquire a permit, you have to seek it from the local sheriff. You will be granted the permit if you meet these eligibility requirements:
- Be a US citizen
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a resident of North Carolina for at least 30 days prior your application
- Have no physical or mental infirmity preventing safe handling of the handgun
- Complete an approved safety and training course for handguns and the state’s laws
- Not be prohibited from owning a gun by either federal or state law
North Carolina CCW Reciprocity
37 states have reciprocity with North Carolina. These include South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Firearm Registration Guidelines
There’s no gun registry in North Carolina.
Red Flag Laws
North Carolina has no red flag laws.
North Carolina Gun Laws in Car
It’s legal to openly carry a long gun or handgun in a motor vehicle without a permit. If the firearm is concealed, a permit is required.
North Carolina Gun Storage Laws
North Carolina’s only gun storage laws are for people who reside with minors. It requires people to store firearms in a way that prevents unsupervised minors from accessing them.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-315.1 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to violate this rule.
North Carolina Self Defense Laws
North Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and follows Stand Your Ground rules with no duty to retreat.
Recent Legislative Changes in North Carolina Gun Laws
The most recent legislative change to North Carolina’s gun laws is NC SB 41. Also known as the Guarantee Second Amendment Freedom and Protections bill, it was enacted on March 29, 2023.
It repealed the laws requiring a permit to purchase a handgun in the state. It also gave holders of concealed carry permits the right to carry firearms on certain school property.