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Gun Permit

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General Information

Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the gun is to be used.

Guns must be carried in plain view. Guns must not be carried in a pocket, purse, under a car seat, or in any other concealed manner unless you have a concealed handgun permit.

The North Carolina General Assembly enacted a concealed handgun law that allows qualifying citizens of North Carolina the opportunity to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun. This law became effective on December 1, 1995, and requires that the permit be secured from the sheriff of the permit holder's county of residence.

Gaining competency with firearms is like learning to drive a car or fly an airplane. You need expert instruction and practice. There is no shortcut. If you are not willing to invest the time and effort to become competent, then having a firearm and trying to use it can, in many instances, be more hazardous than any impending threat.

Storage of firearms and ammunition presents a unique responsibility. Children may see weapons as toys, and thieves view them as a tool for crime or an item that can be sold for quick profit. Keep all firearms locked away in a secure place.

Gun Safety Tips for Parents

  1. If you keep a handgun in your home, always keep it unloaded and locked up!
  2. Always lock and store bullets separately from your gun. Young children can figure out how to load a gun.
  3. Keep a gun lock on your gun after it is unloaded. [Gun locks are excellent devices when used in combination with other safety habits. Gun locks can provide a false sense of security. All it takes is forgetting to lock a gun just one time. Or leaving the key where a child can find it. Always be diligent when using a gun lock. Always double-check to make sure that it is locked at all times.]
  4. Make sure children don't have access to the keys to gun locks and gun and ammunition storage areas.
  5. Even if you don't own a gun, talk with your children about the danger of guns and what to do if they find one while playing or at a friend's house.
  6. Explain to your children that guns are dangerous and that they should never touch them.