North Carolina Gun Laws
Obtaining a handgun in North Carolina is more difficult than it seems.
A permit is required for all handguns, including obtaining a handgun
through inheritance, through a private sale, or through receiving a
gift. A pistol purchase permit must first be obtained through the
county sheriff's office of the specific county of residence.
Those who have Carrying a Concealed Weapons permits are not required to
submit for more registration. Those applying are required by state law
to enter the county facility with a five-dollar fee and
government-issued identification. A background check will then be
handled through NICS and questions for why the handgun should be owned
will be asked. Valid reasons for owning a handgun often include for
target shooting, hunting, collection purposes, or self-defense.
Each county has different requirements and rules for acquiring a
handgun permit, so over one hundred variations are possible. The local
sheriff in each county will determine what the requirements shall be
and other restrictions may be imposed. These restrictions may include
the length of time for which processing can take, limiting the number
of permits for which can be applied in a single time, or the necessity
of establishing good character through references or witnesses. Jim
Crow Laws are the basic outline for North Carolina handgun purchasing
requirements and help designate who are allowed to obtain handguns.
Registration in North Carolina
Some counties require that all handguns be registered, despite the
North Carolina law that states that handgun registration is not
necessary. Durham County is the only county that is allowed to require
this stipulation. The state of North Carolina is considered a "shall
issue" state in regards to carrying concealed handguns. The local
county sheriff's office will determine if each licensing application is
valid or void.
Those who are applying for concealed weapons permits must first
complete a training course through the state. Once a license is
validated it can be in use for five years. Even if a concealed weapons
permit is at hand, no individual is lawfully allowed to carry a
concealed weapon on school property or government property.
Like other states, North Carolina allows concealed weapons permits to
be valid from other states while in North Carolina borders. These
states include West Virginia, Washington, Virginia, Utah, Texas,
Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio,
North Dakota, North Carolina, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Montana,
Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan, Louisiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana,
Idaho, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, Alaska,
and Alabama. In contrast North Carolina concealed weapons permits are
valid in thirty other states, also more than any other state.
Legalities
The state of North Carolina does not require a permit to openly carry a
weapon. However some cities have further specific restrictions. The
city of Cary is the only town in North Carolina that prohibits Open
Carry as a legality. Chapel Hill restricts certain guns bases on their
size, usual smaller guns. In this case whenever another individual
feels threatened, an arrest or questions will often take place.