<P> Gun laws in North Carolina regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of North Carolina (NC) in the United States . </P> <P> North Carolina is generally considered a permissive state for firearms owners, with no state - imposed restrictions on "assault weapons", no magazine capacity restrictions, no caliber restrictions, and few restrictions on the open carrying of firearms . North Carolina maintains concealed carry reciprocity with all other states </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Permit to purchase required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> For handguns, a Pistol Purchase Permit (issued by the sheriff in the county of one's residence) or a North Carolina issued Concealed Handgun Permit is required . Presenting either of these exempts the buyer from the on - the - spot NICS background check . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Durham County formerly required registration of handguns . This was repealed on June 18, 2014 . State law now makes it unlawful for any government entity within the state to maintain a firearms registry . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> North Carolina is a "shall issue" state for Concealed Handgun Permits . N.B. The individual must inform a Law Enforcement officer when addressed he / she is carrying a concealed handgun n . (Gen Stat. § 14 - 415.12 A) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry permitted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Open carry is not specifically limited by State law, but some local governments may have ordinances against openly carried weapons . See state pre-emption section below </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> North Carolina has state preemption for most firearm laws . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> All NFA weapons (Title II weapons) and silencers / suppressors are allowed, as long as federal rules are followed </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shall Certify? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Section 13 (§ 14 - 409.41) </Td> <Td> Shall certify within 15 days . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Article 52A, § 14 - 402 </Td> <Td> A person acquiring a handgun must have either a permit to purchase a handgun or a concealed handgun permit . A background check is required to obtain either of these permits . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

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