Can you carry a gun in public in NC?

Asked by: Stanton Hills  |  Last update: February 17, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (43 votes)

Yes, North Carolina is generally an open carry state, meaning adults (18+) without felony convictions can openly carry handguns without a permit, but local ordinances and specific locations (like schools, courthouses, alcohol-selling places) can restrict it, and visibility is key for it not to be considered concealed. You can wear a handgun in a holster on your hip, but some cities (like Chapel Hill) ban open carry on public roads/sidewalks, so checking local laws is crucial.

Can I openly carry a gun in NC?

Am I allowed to open carry? Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit, if you can legally own a firearm. You must be at least 18 years old with no felony convictions. The state places no limits on weapon caliber size or magazine capacity.

Can I carry a loaded gun in NC?

Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit. Counties may regulate the display of firearms on public roads, sidewalks, alleys or other public property. The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and the State Capitol grounds.

Can you carry a gun in a park in NC?

Guns and Fireworks

are prohibited, except: Individuals with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted areas and under the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11; and. other individuals as permitted by statute or rule.

Is it illegal to have a gun in your car in North Carolina?

Yes, you can have a gun in your car in North Carolina, but how you store it depends on if you have a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP); without a permit, it must be unloaded and in a locked container or rack, but a permittee can store a handgun in a locked vehicle or container (even on campus), though not on their person, while the gun generally must be out of reach and not in a location with prohibited signs. For safety and to avoid issues with law enforcement, it's often recommended to keep it in a locked trunk or secure container, away from registration/insurance documents, and be aware that some locations (like schools) have specific rules, notes www.cmlaw-nc.com.
 

Can I Carry a Firearm in My Car in North Carolina?

38 related questions found

Can I carry a gun without a concealed weapons permit in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, meaning carrying a handgun concealed on your person without a valid permit, or outside the legal exceptions, is generally prosecuted under G.S. 14-269 and is most often a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Can I keep a gun in my glove box in North Carolina?

Yes. If your glove box is unlocked and you're carrying a handgun, North Carolina law considers this concealed carry. You must have a valid concealed carry permit to store a firearm there legally. A locked glove box or trunk, however, is acceptable without a permit because the weapon is not readily accessible.

Can I carry my firearm while hiking?

There is a California Penal Code law that allows anglers to carry a gun while fishing and while hiking to and from their angling site. California Penal Code, section 12025 prohibits carrying concealed firearms in California, however, section 12027 provides the following exemption to this prohibition..

Do I need to disclose if I'm carrying?

In the hard duty to inform states, you have to inform an officer that you are armed without being asked. In some states, a person is only required to disclose that they are carrying if asked by a police officer but otherwise don't have to.

Can you pocket carry a gun in NC?

A: Yes, North Carolina allows the open carry of firearms without a permit, provided the weapon is clearly visible. If you are concealing your weapon, you must have a valid concealed handgun permit.

Does open carry mean you can walk around with firearms?

Categories of law

Permissive open carry states. A state has passed full preemption of all firearms laws, with few exceptions. They allow open carry for all nonprohibited citizens and do not require a permit or license to carry firearms openly. Open carry is fully lawful on foot.

Is NC changing concealed carry laws?

The legislature passed a bill this session that would allow “[a]ny person who is a citizen of the United States and is at least 18 years old [to] carry a concealed handgun in this State unless provided otherwise by law.” Therefore, most adults would not need a concealed carry permit in order to carry a concealed ...

Can you ride around with a rifle in your car?

The short answer: yes—but only under strict conditions.

Handguns: Must be unloaded and placed in a locked container or the trunk. The glove box or center console does not qualify. Long guns (rifles & shotguns): Must also be unloaded, but may either be visible (like on a rack) or locked away.

Where can you not carry a gun in North Carolina?

For example, in North Carolina, concealed handguns may not be carried:

  • In law enforcement or correctional facilities such as a prison.
  • In any space occupied by state or federal employees, including state and federal courthouses.
  • In schools or on school grounds.

Can I open carry in Walmart?

Open Carry of Firearms

Motivated by our desire to create a safe environment in our stores and clubs, we request that customers no longer openly carry firearms into Walmart or Sam's Club locations in states where open carry is permitted – unless they are authorized law enforcement.

Does a holster count as concealed carry?

Yes, a holster is considered part of concealed carry when it hides a firearm from plain view, but the distinction between open and concealed carry often depends on if the firearm is visible or completely covered by clothing, with a holster being essential for discreet, hidden carry and safety, though some states allow holstered guns to be openly carried. The key factor is whether an ordinary observer can see the weapon; a holster helps conceal it under clothing (like inside the waistband or shoulder holsters) or in a pocket, making it "concealed," while an outside the waistband (OWB) holster might be considered "open carry" if not covered.
 

Do I have to disclose I have a firearm in my vehicle?

If state or local law imposes a duty to inform, you are required to disclose the presence of your firearm upon making contact with law enforcement. There are 12 states, along with the District of Columbia, that require you to inform immediately upon contact with law enforcement.

What cannot be disclosed without consent?

The general rule under the Privacy Act is that an agency cannot disclose a record contained in a system of records unless the individual to whom the record pertains gives prior written consent to the disclosure.

Why don't hikers carry guns?

Hikers often don't carry guns due to the extra weight, increased risk of accidents, potential for escalating conflicts, complex legal regulations across different areas, and the fact that firearms can make others uncomfortable, with many feeling they offer a false sense of security, as animal encounters are rare and bear spray is often more effective for wildlife. The logistics and responsibilities of firearm ownership in the backcountry add significant burdens, contrasting with the goal of lightweight, minimal-impact hiking.
 

Should I bring a gun while camping?

If you want to protect yourself from aggressive wild animals or possible assailants while you camp, carry a firearm. Call your destination's park office ahead of time to learn the rules regarding concealed carry. Then consider these five easy ways to carry firearms when camping to find your preferred carry position.

Can I carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail?

Yes, you can carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail (AT), but it's highly complex, depends heavily on state laws (especially for federal land portions), and is generally discouraged by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) due to weight, legal hurdles, and low crime rates on the trail, requiring extensive knowledge of permits and land management rules for each state. Federal law allows possession in NPS-managed areas if state laws are followed, but firearms are banned in federal buildings, and most of the trail crosses lands managed by various state and local agencies with different rules.
 

Can you walk around with a gun in North Carolina?

Open carry is having a gun that is visible to the public. In North Carolina, the laws authorize people to openly carry firearms in public with no permit or license required.

Can I open carry without a holster in North Carolina?

North Carolina law allows people 18 and older to openly carry a firearm if they can own one legally and don't have felony convictions. As the term implies, “openly” carrying a firearm means it's visibly displayed. It could be holstered or in a sling, but if the gun can be seen plainly, it is “openly” carried.

What is the difference between open carry and concealed carry in NC?

Accessibility – Open carry allows faster access to draw your weapon compared to concealed carry. Public perception – Open carry may make some members of the public uncomfortable, while concealed carry avoids this issue. Legal restrictions – North Carolina requires a permit for concealed carry but not for open carry.

Can you have a loaded gun in your car in NC?

Yes, you can have a loaded gun in your car in North Carolina, but it must be either openly displayed or securely stored in a locked container (like the trunk or a locked glove box/console) if not concealed, and if you have a valid Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), you can carry it concealed as long as it's not easily accessible; otherwise, it must be in a locked, separate container if in a vehicle without a separate compartment.