North Carolina has long supported the right to bear arms for its residents and visitors, and its gun laws back up that support.
The state has a concealed handgun license program that allows citizens to carry a concealed weapon provided they have a permit and valid form of ID at all times. If approached by any law enforcement official, a person must disclose that they have a concealed weapon, and present the necessary documentation.
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NC residents with permits can legally bring their firearms in 37 other states, while a concealed carry permit issued from 48 of the 49 other states is automatically recognized in North Carolina, as of Dec. 1, 2011. The exception is Illinois.
Those states with reciprocal CHL agreements with North Carolina are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
While permit holders can legally carry a concealed handgun while visiting the above states, they must be familiar with and obey the laws of the state they are visiting.
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Visitors to North Carolina should also familiarize themselves with state laws. For example, concealed handguns are prohibited in law enforcement or correctional facilities such as a prison; in any space inhabited by state or federal employees, including state and federal courthouses; any place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed; any place where concealed handguns are prohibited by federal law; and any business establishment with a posted sign banning concealed weapons.
Effective Oct. 1, 2013, unless expressly prohibited by a private school, a permit holder can store a concealed handgun in that person's locked vehicle or in a locked container securely fixed to that's person's vehicle while on campus, but may not be carried on the person.
Also as of Oct. 1, 2013, unless posted as being prohibited,
a permit holder can carry a concealed handgun at a parade or funeral.
North Carolina's firearms laws are available online.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws of your state and destination before travel.
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