North Carolina Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for North Carolina Gun Owners
PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact North Carolina gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to North Carolina can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.
North Carolina State Constitution
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty. they shall not be maintained, and the military shall be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice.
All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.
The people of this State have the inherent, sole, and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, and of altering or abolishing their Constitution and form of government whenever it may be necessary to their safety and happiness; but every such right shall be exercised in pursuance of law and consistently with the Constitution of the United States.
The people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances; but secret political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free people and shall not be tolerated.
North Carolina Gun Laws
- North Carolina Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
- North Carolina Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
- North Carolina Concealed Carry Permits (Source: North Carolina Department of Public Safety)
North Carolina Hunting Rules & Regulations
- Hunting in North Carolina (Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
- North Carolina Licenses and Regulations (Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
- North Carolina Online License/Permit Sales Portal (Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
- North Carolina Hunter Education (Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
North Carolina Shooting Ranges
- Public Shooting Ranges in North Carolina (Source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
- NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
- NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)
North Carolina Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches
- IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
- IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
- USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
- USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
- USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
- USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
- 4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)
North Carolina NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events
- North Carolina NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
- North Carolina "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)
North Carolina State Firearm & Hunting Associations
- North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Association (NRA-Affiliated)
- Grass Roots North Carolina
- NC Triangle Chapter of the Safari Club International (SCI-Affiliated)
- Safari Club International Charlotte Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
- North Carolina Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
- North Carolina Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
- North Carolina NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
- North Carolina Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)
North Carolina Gun Shows and FFLs
- North Carolina Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
- North Carolina Gun Shows (Source: GunShowTrader.com)
- North Carolina FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
- NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)
North Carolina Elected Public Officials
- Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
- Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
- State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
- Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
- NRA's Ranking of North Carolina Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)
North Carolina Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings
- North Carolina State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
- North Carolina State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
- North Carolina Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
- North Carolina Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)
North Carolina State Business Tax Climate Rankings
- North Carolina State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
- Taxes in North Carolina (Source: Tax Foundation)
Firearm Background Check Data
Background check types
The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.
Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.
Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.
Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.
Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.
Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.
Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.
Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking
Overall Freedom Ranking
Business Tax Climate Rankings
Gun and Ammo Laws by State
- Alabama Gun & Ammo Laws
- Alaska Gun & Ammo Laws
- Arizona Gun & Ammo Laws
- Arkansas Gun & Ammo Laws
- California Gun & Ammo Laws
- Colorado Gun & Ammo Laws
- Connecticut Gun & Ammo Laws
- Delaware Gun & Ammo Laws
- Florida Gun & Ammo Laws
- Georgia Gun & Ammo Laws
- Hawaii Gun & Ammo Laws
- Idaho Gun & Ammo Laws
- Illinois Gun & Ammo Laws
- Indiana Gun & Ammo Laws
- Iowa Gun & Ammo Laws
- Kansas Gun & Ammo Laws
- Kentucky Gun & Ammo Laws
- Louisiana Gun & Ammo Laws
- Maine Gun & Ammo Laws
- Maryland Gun & Ammo Laws
- Massachusetts Gun & Ammo Laws
- Michigan Gun & Ammo Laws
- Minnesota Gun & Ammo Laws
- Mississippi Gun & Ammo Laws
- Missouri Gun & Ammo Laws
- Montana Gun & Ammo Laws
- Nebraska Gun & Ammo Laws
- Nevada Gun & Ammo Laws
- New Hampshire Gun & Ammo Laws
- New Jersey Gun & Ammo Laws
- New Mexico Gun & Ammo Laws
- New York Gun & Ammo Laws
- North Carolina Gun & Ammo Laws
- North Dakota Gun & Ammo Laws
- Ohio Gun & Ammo Laws
- Oklahoma Gun & Ammo Laws
- Oregon Gun & Ammo Laws
- Pennsylvania Gun & Ammo Laws
- Rhode Island Gun & Ammo Laws
- South Carolina Gun & Ammo Laws
- South Dakota Gun & Ammo Laws
- Tennessee Gun & Ammo Laws
- Texas Gun & Ammo Laws
- Utah Gun & Ammo Laws
- Vermont Gun & Ammo Laws
- Virginia Gun & Ammo Laws
- Washington Gun & Ammo Laws
- West Virginia Gun & Ammo Laws
- Wisconsin Gun & Ammo Laws
- Wyoming Gun & Ammo Laws