Question on NC Concealed Carry Law

You're not allowed to have a drink in a restaurant when you're carrying. I traveled through NC a couple years back, checked the laws in each state I went through while traveling up to West Virginia.

The answer lies herein: https://handgunlaw.us/states/northcarolina.pdf

Speedo66 said:

Considering a trip to NC to visit a friend.

Assuming I'm good to carry in NC, other than the usual places, i.e., schools, health facilities, gov't offices, houses of worship, etc, are there any places specific to NC, like for instance facilities that serve alcohol, that that state law prohibits carry?

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No need to assume, or rely on information from unverified sources (like us here on this forum ). Check out the link that Outlaw 75 provided. There you'll find a good summary of the relevant laws with links where you can read the actual NC law on the state of NC website.

I suggest that you visit www.handgunlaw.us. Look up North Carolina and you will get a good perspective on the law. That is true for other states too.

There is no specific prohibition to carrying a concealed weapon in a bar, or a restaurant that also serves alcoholic beverages, UNLESS the facility has a "no concealed weapons" policy with a clearly posted sign to that effect at all entrances. However, a person carrying concealed can consume no alcohol while armed. NC has a zero tolerance policy on this; there is no legal level of alcohol in the blood if you are carrying concealed.. This prohibition extends to illegal controlled substances, and improper use of prescription medications as well.

If you enter a facility where a sign banning concealed carry is posted, but does not ban all firearms, you can comply by switching to an open carry, unless the proprietor or person in charge of the private property says you cannot. Also, if a sign is NOT posted, the proprietor or person in charge can still ban either open or concealed carry verbally; they can request you disarm and leave your firearm outside, or they can ask you to leave. If you do not leave, you can be charged with criminal trespass.

This comes directly from "Laws Governing Concealed Handgun and Use of Deadly Force" training booklet from the NC Justice Academy, who is the only training facility in NC for Concealed Carry instructors.

Houses of worship are not banned unless they host a school. One odd one in NC, though, is parades or other planned gatherings. The ways they determine what defines the event are somewhat hazy, it’s up to the officer to interpret the situation.
I’ve carried in front of officers, and never had a problem, even when I knew I must be showing.
If you get pulled over the first thing out of your mouth needs to be, “I’m a concealed weapons permit holder, I’m required to tell you there are (x) guns in the car,” and have your license and permit ready to show him or her. Then, keep your hands visible and for the love of god be respectful.

All of this applies unless you are in Mooresville. If you’re dealing with cops in Mooresville NC, you’ve already lost. You just have to hope for the most bearable level of the bad that’s headed your way.

courtgreene said:

Houses of worship are not banned unless they host a school. One odd one in NC, though, is parades or other planned gatherings. The ways they determine what defines the event are somewhat hazy, it’s up to the officer to interpret the situation.
I’ve carried in front of officers, and never had a problem, even when I knew I must be showing.
If you get pulled over the first thing out of your mouth needs to be, “I’m a concealed weapons permit holder, I’m required to tell you there are (x) guns in the car,” and have your license and permit ready to show him or her. Then, keep your hands visible and for the love of god be respectful.

All of this applies unless you are in Mooresville. If you’re dealing with cops in Mooresville NC, you’ve already lost. You just have to hope for the most bearable level of the bad that’s headed your way.

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What's up with Mooresville? I lived in NC from age 0 to age 42 and don't remember ever hearing anything unusual about it.

Outlaw75 said:

What's up with Mooresville? I lived in NC from age 0 to age 42 and don't remember ever hearing anything unusual about it.

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I grew up in Mooresville. There’s a lot of corruption, which happens a lot in small towns that are suddenly infused with ridiculous amounts of money. The long and short of it is that said corruption has affected the police department there. No-knock raids and police hitting people through their car windows are both quite common. I no longer live there (graduated, got out, only return for weddings/funerals) but I hear the latest is asking to meet people on certain lists at various places they aren’t supposed to be and then arresting them for being there. In other words, creating the crime then making the arrest instead of responding to a crime by making an arrest.

courtgreene said:

I grew up in Mooresville. There’s a lot of corruption, which happens a lot in small towns that are suddenly infused with ridiculous amounts of money. The long and short of it is that said corruption has affected the police department there. No-knock raids and police hitting people through their car windows are both quite common. I no longer live there (graduated, got out, only return for weddings/funerals) but I hear the latest is asking to meet people on certain lists at various places they aren’t supposed to be and then arresting them for being there. In other words, creating the crime then making the arrest instead of responding to a crime by making an arrest.

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Gotcha! I'd never heard that about Mooresville, but then I'm from farther east and know a few places like that down that way.

Outlaw75 said:

Gotcha! I'd never heard that about Mooresville, but then I'm from farther east and know a few places like that down that way.

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I moved all around the Charlotte area, but three and a half years ago I moved to the mountains (not Asheville but not far) and have decided I was a mountain man at heart but didn’t know it until I got here. Where East of there?

courtgreene said:

I moved all around the Charlotte area, but three and a half years ago I moved to the mountains (not Asheville but not far) and have decided I was a mountain man at heart but didn’t know it until I got here. Where East of there?

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Ironically enough; Fayetteville. Also lived in the Triangle. My people are all from west of Winston-Salem, though.

courtgreene said:

Houses of worship are not banned unless they host a school. One odd one in NC, though, is parades or other planned gatherings. The ways they determine what defines the event are somewhat hazy, it’s up to the officer to interpret the situation.
I’ve carried in front of officers, and never had a problem, even when I knew I must be showing.
If you get pulled over the first thing out of your mouth needs to be, “I’m a concealed weapons permit holder, I’m required to tell you there are (x) guns in the car,” and have your license and permit ready to show him or her. Then, keep your hands visible and for the love of god be respectful.

All of this applies unless you are in Mooresville. If you’re dealing with cops in Mooresville NC, you’ve already lost. You just have to hope for the most bearable level of the bad that’s headed your way.

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IIRC, the parade exclusion for ccw was dropped several years ago, so it's now no longer an issue. (looked it up - appears that law was changed October 2013, parade and funeral are now allowed)

Don't know about Mooresville, but I'm not too sure about Cary either.