North Carolina Gun Laws Explained

By Doug Edwards

  |  

Criminal Defense

  |  

Last Modified on Dec 09, 2025

If you own a gun, you know that the laws are constantly changing. As new legislation is made and takes the place of old rules, it is essential that you understand the current North Carolina gun laws surrounding your firearm. 

A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can help you understand how these laws apply to your situation and how to stay compliant. Doing so helps to promote safety within your community.

North Carolina has updated several aspects of its gun laws in recent years, most significantly in 2023, and again during the 2025 legislative session. Understanding where things stand today can mean the difference between exercising your rights lawfully and facing serious criminal charges.

Senate Bill 41 & the Repeal of the Pistol Purchase Permit

In March 2023, North Carolina repealed its longstanding pistol purchase permit requirement when the General Assembly overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41. Previously, anyone purchasing a handgun from a private seller was required to obtain a permit from the county sheriff, which included a background check conducted by the sheriff’s office. That requirement is no longer in effect.

The 2023 law also allows licensed concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders to carry their firearm to a religious service held in the same building as a school. This was a setting where firearms were previously banned under all circumstances. Concealed carry in that building is permitted only for active CHP holders, not for open carry generally. 

Two statutory conditions must also be met:

1. The property may not be owned or controlled by a local board of education or county commission
2. Carry is only permitted outside of school operating hours

Purchasing a Gun in North Carolina

With the pistol purchase permit requirement eliminated, there is no longer a sheriff-issued permit required to buy a handgun from a private seller. However, federal law still applies: licensed dealers (FFLs) are required to run an FBI NICS background check on all retail purchases. Private sales between individuals are not subject to that check under current state law.

To be eligible to legally purchase and possess a firearm in North Carolina, a buyer must:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Have no felony convictions on record
• Meet all other state and federal prohibitions on firearm possession

Individuals who do not meet these criteria cannot legally possess a firearm. Gun retailers can face criminal liability for selling to a prohibited person.

Senate Bill 50 and Permitless Concealed Carry

North Carolina law still requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to carry a firearm concealed on your person or accessible in a vehicle. The minimum age for a CHP is 21.

Senate Bill 50, known as the ‘Freedom to Carry NC’ act, would change this by allowing any U.S. citizen 18 or older who is legally permitted to possess a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. The bill passed the NC Senate and House during the 2025 regular session, but Governor Josh Stein vetoed it in June 2025. The Senate overrode the veto in July 2025 with a 30-19 vote. As of April 2026, the House had not yet held a successful veto override vote, and the override remained on the House calendar.

Until both chambers complete the override, the CHP requirement remains fully in effect. Anyone carrying concealed without a valid permit is still subject to criminal prosecution under G.S. 14-269.

2025 Updates to NC Firearm Law

The 2025 legislative session produced two additional changes that gun owners in Asheville and across western North Carolina should know:

Private school employee carry (S.L. 2025-81): Certain employees or volunteers at nonpublic schools may now carry a concealed firearm on school grounds if they have written permission from the school, hold a valid CHP, complete eight hours of annual firearms training, and satisfy any additional school requirements. This exception does not apply to public schools, where firearms remain prohibited under both state and federal law.

DVPO firearm surrender rules (S.L. 2025-70): Courts issuing emergency or ex parte domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) must now order firearm surrender in cases involving especially dangerous conduct, such as threats involving a deadly weapon or threats to kill the aggrieved party or a minor child. Defendants subject to such orders should work immediately with an attorney to understand their obligations.

Open Carry in North Carolina

Open carry (carrying a firearm visibly on your person) remains legal in North Carolina without a permit, provided you are legally permitted to possess the firearm. The minimum age for open carry is 18. However, counties may regulate the display of firearms on public roads, sidewalks, and other public property, and open carry is prohibited in certain locations regardless. Carrying a firearm openly in a manner that causes a reasonable person to fear for their safety can also result in a charge of ‘Going Armed to the Terror of the People’ under North Carolina common law.

Common Gun Law Offenses in North Carolina

Though many gun owners are responsible, courts prosecute gun law violations very strictly. A small infraction can have lasting effects on your ability to own a firearm and have other far-reaching consequences for your personal and professional lives.

Every gun law crime has unique circumstances, but there are some types of gun offenses that are relatively common. They include:

• Concealing a weapon with an expired permit or with no permit
• Owning or handling a gun with a felony record
• Bringing a gun onto school property
• Bringing a gun into an establishment that serves or sells alcohol, or while consuming alcohol
• Transferring gun ownership incorrectly
• Carrying a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order

If you are arrested for a gun law violation, it is important to act quickly. Do not speak with law enforcement or admit fault of any kind. Instead, contact your attorney right away. Gun law violations can have severe consequences, but with an Asheville firearm defense lawyer’s help, you may be able to defend against the charges.

Firearm Defense Legal Help

If you have been accused of or arrested for a gun law violation, it is important to understand that you have options. With the help of a firearm defense attorney, you can challenge the state’s claims and work to protect your rights, including your ability to own firearms in the future.

Under United States law, every person accused of a crime has the right to an attorney, and the state will provide one if the defendant cannot afford it. However, state-appointed public defenders are overworked and lack the proper time to spend with each client. As a result, many people who work with public defenders lose their claims, face longer incarceration periods, and suffer from poor plea deal terms.

Do not entrust your future and your freedom to a public defender. Rather, rely on a qualified private attorney from Edwards Law, PLLC.

FAQs About North Carolina Gun Law

Can I carry a gun without a permit in North Carolina?

You can open carry without a permit as long as you are 18 or older and legally permitted to own a firearm. Concealed carry still requires a valid North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) or a recognized out-of-state permit. Senate Bill 50 would eventually allow permitless concealed carry, but as of April 2026, the House veto override had not been completed, and the CHP requirement remains in full effect.

Do you need a permit for an AR-15 pistol in North Carolina?

No permit is required to purchase or own most rifles, handguns, or shotguns in North Carolina, including AR-platform pistols. The primary restriction on firearm type concerns fully automatic fire: you may not possess a fully automatic weapon without the appropriate federal license or permit under the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53).

What is the duty to inform law in North Carolina?

North Carolina is a ‘duty to inform’ state. If you are stopped or addressed by a law enforcement officer while carrying a concealed firearm, you are legally required to disclose that you are carrying and to present your CHP upon the officer’s request. This duty applies whether or not the officer asks. Failure to disclose is itself a violation of G.S. 14-415.21.

Where is concealed carry prohibited in North Carolina?

Even with a valid CHP, concealed carry is prohibited in a number of locations, including: law enforcement and correctional facilities; any establishment where alcohol is sold and consumed (or where you are consuming alcohol); the State Capitol and legislative buildings; any private premises where the owner has posted conspicuous notice prohibiting firearms; and anywhere prohibited by federal law. Schools are off-limits for general carry, though the 2023 law and the 2025 private school employee exception create narrow carve-outs for specific permit holders in specific circumstances.

Does North Carolina recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits?

Yes. North Carolina recognizes concealed handgun permits from all other states, regardless of the permit holder’s age, under G.S. 14-415.24. If you are traveling from another state with a valid permit, you may carry concealed in North Carolina under the same conditions that apply to NC CHP holders. Note that if SB 50 passes, NC-issued permits will remain available for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states.

What is the NC Constitutional Carry Bill?

Senate Bill 50, known as the ‘Freedom to Carry NC’ act, would allow U.S. citizens 18 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. The Senate overrode Governor Stein’s veto in July 2025, but the House veto override remained pending as of April 2026. Until the House completes a successful override, a CHP is still required for concealed carry. If and when SB 50 takes effect, the state has confirmed it will continue issuing optional CHPs for residents who want them for reciprocity purposes.

Contact Edwards Law, PLLC

If you have been accused of violating gun laws, it is important to work as hard as possible to protect your rights. Our team of criminal defense lawyers at Edwards Law, PLLC, has many years of experience in this field, and we are confident that we can represent your interests.

Doug Edwards is a Board-Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law by the North Carolina State Bar ( a credential held since 2017) and a former Assistant District Attorney with more than 14 years of total legal experience. He understands how Buncombe County courts treat firearm charges and how to build a defense that protects your future.

For more information, contact Edwards Law, PLLC, today.