North Carolina gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
- A concealed handgun permit is still required (SB 50 had not become law as of this check).
- Open carry: Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff.
- Permits: North Carolina permit guide
Vehicle transport
Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff.
Places where carry is banned
A permit doesn't cover concealed carry on school property (G.S. 14-269.2), at parades, funerals and picket lines (14-269.3, 14-277.2), in state property and courthouses (14-269.4), law enforcement and correctional facilities, state and federal office buildings, federally prohibited areas, or posted private premises (G.S. 14-415.11(c)). Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
Yes. Permit holders carrying concealed must tell any law enforcement officer who approaches or addresses them that they hold a permit and are carrying, and show the permit and ID on request (G.S. 14-415.11(a)). Source
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
A valid concealed handgun permit from any other state is valid in North Carolina (G.S. 14-415.24).
Honors permits from every state.
Sources
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.