What is the general statute for concealed carry in NC?

Asked by: Leopold Langosh  |  Last update: March 29, 2026
Score: 5/5 (75 votes)

North Carolina's concealed carry laws primarily revolve around G.S. 14-269 (Carrying concealed weapons), making it generally illegal to carry concealed, but G.S. 14-415.11 allows for concealed carry with a permit, requiring disclosure to law enforcement. Recent legislation (H.B. 5) aims to establish permitless concealed carry for eligible adults, but its implementation depends on overriding a gubernatorial veto, so currently, a permit is still generally needed for concealed handguns, with strict prohibitions on where they can be carried (e.g., government buildings, schools).

What is the statute for concealed carry in NC?

§ 14‑415.11. Permit to carry concealed handgun; scope of permit. (a) Any person who has a concealed handgun permit may carry a concealed handgun unless otherwise specifically prohibited by law.

What is the statute 14 269.7 in NC?

§ 14-269.7. Prohibitions on handguns for minors. (a) Any minor who willfully and intentionally possesses or carries a handgun is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

What is the statute 14 269.3 in NC?

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry any gun, rifle, or pistol into any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission thereto, or into any establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

What happens if you conceal carry without a license in NC?

Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for a first offense and is guilty of a Class H felony for a second or subsequent offense.

What are the Concealed Carry Laws in North Carolina?

34 related questions found

Can you pocket carry a gun in NC?

“Pocket carry” is the same thing as concealed carry and is illegal without a CC permit. Open carry is legal.

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.

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 have a gun in your car without a concealed carry NC?

Simply put, it is legal to keep a weapon in your vehicle as long as it isn't concealed (unless you have a valid CHP permit). The gun must be visible and readily seen. If it is concealed, it must not be within the reach of anyone else.

What is the 42 14 law in NC?

§ 42-14.

A tenancy from year to year may be terminated by a notice to quit given one month or more before the end of the current year of the tenancy; a tenancy from month to month by a like notice of seven days; a tenancy from week to week, of two days.

Does NC require you to inform police you're carrying?

To possess a concealed handgun in North Carolina, you must:

Carry your permit and a valid form of identification with you at all times. Disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit when you are approached or addressed by any law enforcement officer in North Carolina.

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.

What is the Constitutional Carry Bill 2025?

The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.

Can I open carry a loaded handgun in NC?

Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit, if you can legally own a firearm.

Can you keep a gun in a locked glove box?

California law is very clear: a firearm cannot be legally stored in the glove box or center console, whether locked or not. Here's what you must do: The firearm must be unloaded. It must be in a locked container (gun case, safe, or trunk).

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 carry my gun in my pocket in NC?

Concealed carry is legal for residents with a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) and for non-residents with any valid license/permit.

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.