Gavin Howe
North Carolina's gun laws are relatively relaxed compared to other states, with both the state and federal constitutions protecting the right to bear arms. Open carry is generally allowed in North Carolina without a permit, provided the individual is over 18 and has no felony convictions. However, there are restrictions on carrying a firearm, either openly or concealed, in certain places. Private businesses and properties can prohibit firearms on their premises, and counties may regulate the display of firearms on public property, designating certain areas as off-limits, such as schools, universities, government buildings, and parks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permit required for open carry | No |
| Age requirement | 18 years or older |
| Criminal record requirement | No felony convictions |
| Places where open carry is allowed | Roadside rest areas, vehicles |
| Places where open carry is prohibited | Schools, universities, state and federal parks, organized sporting and entertainment events, private properties and businesses with "No Weapons" signs, banks with "No Weapons" signs, restaurants with "No Weapons" signs that sell alcohol |
| Other restrictions | Gun must be visible and not readily accessible in vehicles |
| Permit required for concealed carry | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Open carry laws and restrictions in North Carolina
North Carolina is a gun-friendly state, with both the state and federal constitutions protecting the right to bear firearms. The state generally permits the open carry of firearms in public without a permit or license. However, there are specific laws and restrictions on carrying a gun, either openly or concealed, in certain places.
Open Carry Laws in North Carolina
In North Carolina, openly carrying a firearm is allowed in many public places, such as roadside rest areas. However, counties may regulate the display of firearms on public property and designate specific off-limit areas, including schools, universities, state and federal parks, and organised sporting and entertainment events. It is also illegal to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, on educational property or at any school-sanctioned events.
Restrictions on Open Carry
Open carry is not permitted on private property or in businesses that post "No Weapons" signs. Additionally, you cannot carry a firearm, openly or concealed, into a restaurant that serves alcohol. If a business or private property owner states that firearms are not allowed, you must comply, even if there is no signage.
Vehicle Restrictions
Open carry is legal in vehicles, but the firearm must be visible and not readily accessible. This means that firearms cannot be stored in unlocked glove boxes or underneath seats. They must be openly displayed, locked in the glove compartment, locked in the console, or kept in the trunk.
Concealed Carry Restrictions
While North Carolina does allow for concealed carry with a permit, there are additional restrictions. For example, even with a permit, you cannot carry a concealed firearm into a restaurant that prohibits weapons, even if there is no signage. Additionally, you cannot carry a concealed firearm into a bank that prohibits weapons, and you must inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a firearm when approaching them on official business.
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Private property and business restrictions
North Carolina's open carry laws do not apply to private properties and businesses that do not allow firearms. Private businesses that post or state that firearms are not allowed prohibit individuals from bringing firearms onto their property. Notices and signs that indicate a business does not permit weapons on-site must be prominently and conspicuously displayed, or individuals must be notified before entering. It cannot be applied after the fact, where an individual is informed later that firearms were not allowed in a place they have already been in.
Open carry is generally prohibited in schools, government buildings, parades, picket lines, and demonstrations. Local governments can enact further restrictions to regulate or prohibit open carry on streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public property. Counties may also regulate the display of firearms on public property and designate off-limit areas, such as schools and universities, state and federal parks, and organised sporting events.
Businesses that post a "No Weapons" sign are off-limits for concealed or open carry. It is lawful to carry a gun into a bank unless there is a sign or it is stated orally that the bank does not allow guns. If a bank does not prohibit gun possession, individuals are within their rights to possess a firearm on bank property. Municipalities and counties can adopt ordinances that prohibit carrying a concealed weapon on playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools, or athletic facilities. They can also regulate or prohibit gun possession in or on the grounds or parking areas of publicly-owned buildings, public parks, or recreation areas.
In the town of Chapel Hill, open carry is restricted to guns of a certain minimum size, under the theory that small, concealable handguns are more often associated with criminal activity. On September 1, 2020, the town council of Holly Springs voted to prohibit open carry on town property.
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Carrying a firearm in a vehicle
North Carolina is a gun-friendly state, with both the federal and state constitutions protecting the right to bear arms. Open carry is legal in the state without a permit, provided an individual can legally own a firearm, is at least 18 years old, and has no felony convictions.
When carrying a firearm in a vehicle in North Carolina, the gun must be visible and easily accessible to the individual carrying it, and not accessible to others in the vehicle. The firearm must be openly displayed, in a locked glove compartment, locked in the console, or in the trunk. It cannot be under the front seat or in an unlocked glove box or console.
If an individual does not have a concealed carry permit, the firearm must be visible to anyone approaching the vehicle. If the firearm is not visible from outside the vehicle, it is considered concealed, and a permit is required to avoid breaking the law.
If a firearm is found to be concealed in a vehicle without the proper permit, the individual can face criminal charges. If an individual has a concealed carry permit, they may keep the firearm anywhere in the car.
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Concealed carry laws
North Carolina is a gun-friendly state, with both the federal and state constitutions protecting the right to bear arms. However, there are restrictions on who can carry a gun, where, and how.
In North Carolina, a permit or license is required to carry a concealed firearm. The state issues Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP) to residents and non-residents who are members of the military permanently posted in the state. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a state-approved firearms training course. Non-residents can carry concealed handguns with any valid license or permit.
To obtain a CHP, applicants must meet certain requirements, including being a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, not having a mental or physical disability that prevents the safe handling of a firearm, and not having been convicted of a felony or other specific crimes within three years of the application date.
Concealed carry is allowed in state parks, state and national forests, roadside rest areas, vehicles, and all areas of the state not specifically listed as off-limits. However, municipalities and counties can adopt ordinances prohibiting carrying a concealed weapon in certain places, such as playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools, and public parks. Additionally, concealed carry is prohibited in schools and on educational property, as well as at curricular and extracurricular activities sponsored by educational institutions.
Open Carry Laws
In contrast to concealed carry, open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit, provided that the individual is at least 18 years old and has no felony convictions. Open carry is having a gun visible to the public, typically in a visible holster or locked in a vehicle's glove compartment or trunk. While open carry is permitted in many places, counties can regulate the display of firearms on public property and designate off-limit areas, such as schools, universities, and state and federal parks. Additionally, open carry is prohibited on private property or in businesses that post "No Weapons" signs.
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Gun-friendly states and their laws
Gun laws in the United States are regulated at both the state and federal level. While the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms, state laws can be broader or more limited in scope than federal laws. Some states have a similar provision in their constitutions, though some, like California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York, do not. New York, however, has a statutory civil rights law that is similar to the Second Amendment.
North Carolina is considered a gun-friendly state. Both the federal and state constitutions protect the right to bear arms. Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit, provided an individual can legally own a firearm, is at least 18 years old, and has no felony convictions. There are, however, restrictions on carrying a gun, either openly or concealed, in certain places, such as schools, universities, government buildings, and private businesses that do not permit weapons.
Georgia is another gun-friendly state, where open carry is constitutionally protected. Unlike North Carolina, Georgia does not require a permit for concealed carry. Georgia does not require residents to register their firearms, nor do they receive tax credits on firearms or ammunition purchases.
Tennessee is a Constitutional Carry state, where anyone over 21 who can lawfully possess a firearm can carry and conceal their weapon without a license. Tennessee has a history of tax exemptions for gun safety equipment, and the state performs background checks with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the federal NICS.
Iowa is also a Constitutional Carry state, allowing law-abiding citizens to open or concealed carry firearms without a permit. The state still offers a Permit to Carry Weapons (PCW) for those over 21, and those under 18 are eligible if the permit is required for work. Iowa's standard sales tax applies to all firearms and ammunition purchases, though the state has supported firearms tax holidays in the past.
Florida is another gun-friendly state, with its own standards for firearm purchases that further limit gun ownership. The state does not issue tax exemptions for firearms, nor do residents have to register their firearms. Florida has protections for those who act in self-defense, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed the concealed carry legislation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, in North Carolina, people are generally allowed to openly carry firearms in public without a permit or license.
Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to open carry in North Carolina.
Yes, open carry is restricted in certain sensitive locations, including schools, universities, government buildings, and private properties or businesses that post "No Weapons" signs.
Open carry involves visibly holstered handguns in public, while concealed carry involves hiding the gun from plain view.
Yes, open carry is legal in vehicles as long as the firearm is visible and not readily accessible. This means it cannot be stored in unlocked glove boxes or underneath seats.
