Open and Concealed Gun Carry Laws in North Carolina

Although the right to bear arms is protected under both the federal and North Carolina constitutions, that doesn’t mean all North Carolinians may carry a gun or may do so wherever they like. Both open and concealed carry come with limits in the state. This article will review when open and concealed carry is allowed, what permits are needed, and where guns are prohibited.

Open Carry Laws in North Carolina

In many instances, open carry is legal without a permit in North Carolina. Most people may openly carry firearms wherever they aren't prohibited. State law restricts open (and concealed) carry in places such as schools, government buildings, parades, picket lines, and demonstrations. Local government can enact further restrictions to regulate or prohibit open carry on streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public property. To open carry a handgun, a person must be at least 18 years of age.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-269.7, 153A-129, 160A-189 (2026).)

Concealed Carry Laws in North Carolina

It’s legal in North Carolina to conceal carry a handgun in the following situations:

• you have a valid concealed handgun permit
• you’re on your own premises, or
• you’re a law enforcement officer or other individual authorized to carry weapons as part of your official duties.

Requirements for a Concealed-Carry Permit

To qualify for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, you must be at least 21, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and a North Carolina resident (for at least 30 days). You must also have completed an approved firearms safety and training course. North Carolina is a shall-issue state.

Disqualifications to a Concealed-Carry Permit

You'll be denied a concealed-carry permit if any of the following apply to you:

• you've been indicted for or convicted of a felony (other than certain white-collar crimes)
• you've been convicted of certain violent misdemeanors, including domestic violence
• you're free on bail or bond pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a crime that would disqualify you from obtaining a permit
• you've been convicted of driving under the influence within the last three years
• you're illegally using or addicted to drugs or alcohol
• you're ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law
• you're a fugitive from justice
• you've been found by a court or government agency to be mentally ill or lacking in mental capacity, or
• you were discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces under less-than-honorable conditions.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-269, 14-415.11, 14-415.12 (2026).)

Individuals Who Are Prohibited From Possessing a Gun in North Carolina

Certain people are prohibited from buying or possessing any firearms under North Carolina weapons laws, including convicted felons and anyone subject to a current protective order. As noted above, minors are prohibited from possessing handguns.

A minor who violates the law commits a class 1 misdemeanor. Felons and those subject to a restraining order, though, commit a felony by possessing a firearm.

Federal law also imposes bans on firearm possession by felons, fugitives, persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes, and more.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-269.7, 14-269.8, 14-415.1, 14-415.12, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (2026).)

Places Where Carrying a Gun Is Prohibited in North Carolina

Even if you have a concealed-carry permit, North Carolina prohibits guns in certain places, including on school property (public or private K-12 schools, colleges, or universities) or at school-sponsored events. However, there is an exception for private primary and secondary schools that also have a place of worship on the premises. Concealed carry is legal on these properties as long as the person is attending (or traveling to or from) a religious function, or it's outside of school operating hours.

Concealed carry is also prohibited:

• in a law enforcement or correctional facility
• in state or federal office buildings, in courthouses, or on certain other state property (unless you have a permit and keep your gun locked in a container in your car)
• at a parade, funeral procession, picket line, or other demonstration (except for guns carried on a rack in a pickup truck at parades or funeral processions)
• on any private property that prohibits concealed handguns, and
• anywhere guns are prohibited under federal law.

Open carry is generally prohibited in the above locations as well.

Bars and Alcohol-Related Rules

In some other places, such as establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, firearms are prohibited unless they’re handguns carried by people with concealed-carry permits and the establishment doesn't post otherwise.

Even with a permit, it’s always illegal to carry a concealed handgun away from your own property while you’re drinking alcohol or while you still have any alcohol or illegal drugs in your blood.

Exceptions for Authorized Professions

All of these prohibitions have exceptions for law enforcement officers and certain other authorized individuals, such as military service members (when required to carry) and correctional officers.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-269.2, 14-269.3, 14-269.4, 14-277.2, 14-415.11 (2026).)

Carrying a Gun in Your Vehicle

How you can carry a weapon in your vehicle depends on whether or not you have a concealed-carry permit. Without a permit: you cannot have a handgun in your vehicle that's both readily accessible to you, and not visible to people approaching the vehicle. This means that the weapon must either be visible to people outside the vehicle, or stored in a location that's not readily accessible (for example, the trunk, a locked glovebox or console, or a locked container in the passenger cabin). With a permit: you can carry a handgun anywhere in the vehicle, including concealed in the vehicle or on your person. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269(a1) (2026).)

North Carolina's Penalties for Gun Carry Violations

Gun-carry violations are taken very seriously in North Carolina, and many (like carrying a gun on school grounds) are punished as felonies. North Carolina uses a sentencing structure that takes the defendant’s criminal record into account, so penalties for these crimes will vary according to the facts of your case and your criminal history. This means that penalties for the same offense become more serious for repeat offenders. For example, it’s a misdemeanor to carry a concealed gun without a permit, but a person convicted of it once will face felony charges if they do it again. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-269(a1) and (c) (2026).)

Getting Legal Help

The penalties for violating gun carry laws can be serious. If you have any questions about whether you are allowed to carry a gun in North Carolina, consult an attorney or gun law expert. If you're facing charges for a gun violation, speak with a criminal defense lawyer or ask for a public defender.