North Carolina gun laws?

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Carl

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I currently live in Michigan and have a MI CCW. I own a small collection of rifles and shotguns, and my CCW pistol, which is of course registered to the State Police. I'm familiar with and pretty much used to Michigan gun laws since I've lived here all my life (24 years).

The thing is, I'm most likely moving to North Carolina by the end of the year and I'll be there for a while. This means my guns will come with me. I know North Carolina respects MI CCW licenses so I'll be find there until it expires, in which case I'll renew it for NC. I'm asking here because even though I'm reading NC guns laws on the internet, I'd like to also hear from you fine ladies and gentleman that post on here that are from NC and tell me how the gun laws are. Also if there's anyone that have lived in both Michigan and North Carolina, that'd be a bonus. From what I've read so far, they're pretty similar to Michigan.

I'm moving with someone that's picking Graduate schools. Her other options were Vanderbilt in Tennessee, UofW in Wisconsin and Northwestern in Illinois. Good thing she hates Chicago and Madison, that'd be a tough move.
 
I came to NC from MI about 6 years ago. In some ways the gun laws are more relaxed, in other ways there more restrictive.

No registration of handguns here, but the CCW is more restrictive (no carry in a theater or a restaurant that serves alcohol for example).

I'd check out handgunlaw.us as the best source of info.
 
City of Durham has registration, the rest of state is free. Permits (or a CCW) are required to purchase handguns. The permits are issued by choice of the sheriff which is generally not a problem but in some of the liberal cities may be, some have other hoops, limits on how many at a time, how many in a year, etc, plus they are $5 each. A Sheriff can refuse to issue you a permit for pretty much any reason, but is required by state law to issue a CCW if you don't fall under a qualifying reason. You should go ahead and sign up for a CCW class when you move and not wait. The CCW is needed for all handgun sales (including private party) if you don't want to mess with permits and it gets you a pass on calling in for check on other guns. The class gives you rundown on rules and justification for using your sidearm.

Did you know you can fire on someone breaking in your front door, if they have arm in trying to unlock it you can shoot through the door at them, the same person actually inside your house maybe so or maybe not. No carry on education facilities includes most medical facilities b/c most of ours are teaching hospitals, etc. Trying stop someone that is about to shoot someone else, better know who started there incident. Take the course, its very good and covers the gray areas.
 
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IMHO I'd go to Tennesse. NC is fast becoming a liberal entitlement state. The Illegal aliens only need to show a phone bill to get a drivers license. No proof of legal residence in the US. Property taxes and sales taxes are higher than SC now as well. The Asheville, Charlotte and Raliegh - Durham areas need to be avoided like the plague.
 
I don't know how it is in MI, but in NC the only thing a CHP gets you is the right to hide the gun on your person. You get no more carrying "privileges" than you would get with open carry - can't carry at banks, schools, courthouses, and some others. In other words, places where having a weapon would do the most good if trouble breaks out.

Apparently NC and many other states don't believe in Amendents 2, 10, and 14. The fact is, the state has no more constitutional authority to restrict gun ownership and use than they do to restrict free speech or to permit slavery.
 
You can open carry in banks in NC, just not the best idea because it freaks people out, there are a couple horror stories on handgunlaw.us forums. All in all the laws aren't bad, but by no means optimal. CHP is helpful here, but ultimately worthless due to some odd limitations....for instance no carry to establishments that serve any alcohol at all (a place where I could imagine needing a handgun), no carry to public gatherings, and no carry if a state of emergency is declared (where I'd really like to have a handgun). The castle doctrine here serves us well against the bad guys, until they actually get into your house and the law gets a little more tricky. Can't buy a handgun in NC unless you are a resident, and if you become a resident, you might as well apply for a NC CHP.

And don't forget, NC is a "must notify officer" state. Meaning if you have any interaction with an LEO you must notify him of your concealed weapon if you are carrying.
 
I don't know what is worse, the restrictive carry laws here or another damned Yankee moving here. :D

Unfortunately our cch is very restrictive. Your MI permit should be good for 30 days, the same amount of time you have to change your address and get your drivers license changed. You will have to apply for the NC CCH permit and you will have to pay the $100 to take the class plus the $80 for the permit application Plus the $10 fingerprint fee. You may find someone to teach the course cheaper. I was at Hill's Guns the yesterday and overheard someone saying they were taking the class for $40. You will have to check around and I guess it will matter as to what part of NC you are planning to move.

Last year the issue about being able to carry in a restaurant the served alcohol as long as you are not drinking got shifted to a committee where it died. Open carry here is very subjective, if someone complains about it the LEOs can make you put it in your car or take it home.
 
I live in NC also.They're telling us our crime rates are down but I don't see how with the daily home invasions and day time robberies.Worst place to be is any mall parking lot.Carry what you need to survive is my motto.As for calling 911....yeah they get there in time to do the paperwork.This free advice may be a little off topic but I'm just trying to help a newcomer to NC out.
 
I've lived in FL,MS and now NC.I have CCW's from all of them. I kept my FL as a non resident.When we moved from MS our permits became null and void.Even having a FL permit since 1987 I had to go through the NC CCW class to get my NC permit.Actually it's a good thing the way the laws vary here.

I was told our FL permits were honored here until you get a NC Drivers License???.

I honestly heard so many different things I don't know what the truth is.My wife travels allot. You can not even have a firearm in your private vehicle once you get on airport property.So if you or they have a flight at 3:00am you have to ride to and from the airport unarmed because of the AP property.I can see not being allowed in the terminal but in your own vehicle I think they've gone overboard.
Don't get caught drinking and carrying. Like already mentioned you can not go inside where Alcohol is served.A Bank as mentioned is off limits along with all the Federal buildings.
I do like living here. As far as the CCW restrictions and the Liberals I sure miss Florida.Having a NC permit is probably better then nothing but it sure doesn't do allot to help or protect you if you have to use it.In the class we were told if you use your gun even if you're in the right you will have a jury trial.

If you're pulled over you must tell law enforcement.I've been told if your carrying or not you must tell them since you have a CCW permit.You have to roll your window half away down put your hands on the steering wheel and not move until you are told to. I haven't put a chip on the iceberg with laws and restrictions.
 
How's the Chapel Hill area?
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Not the most gun-friendly area in North Carolina.

You can not even have a firearm in your private vehicle once you get on airport property.
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North Carolina General Statutes, § 14‑409.40.(f)
Nothing contained in this section prohibits municipalities or counties from application of their authority under G.S. 153A‑129, 160A‑189, 14‑269, 14‑269.2, 14‑269.3, 14‑269.4, 14‑277.2, 14‑415.11, 14‑415.23, including prohibiting the possession of firearms in public‑owned buildings, on the grounds or parking areas of those buildings, or in public parks or recreation areas, except nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a person from storing a firearm within a motor vehicle while the vehicle is on these grounds or areas.
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I've been told if your carrying or not you must tell them since you have a CCW permit.
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North Carolina General Statutes, § 14‑415.21.(a)
A person who has been issued a valid permit who is found to be carrying a concealed handgun without the permit in the person's possession or who fails to disclose to any law enforcement officer that the person holds a valid permit and is carrying a concealed handgun, as required by G.S. 14‑415.11, shall be guilty of an infraction for the first offense and shall be punished in accordance with G.S. 14‑3.1.
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gc70.Most of what I said was told to us in the class.As for the airport property I wanted to know actually what they meant. I called the airport authority. I talked to a couple people no one could give me the correct answer. They transfered me to a lieutenant. He was who told me once you get on AP property you are not to have a firearm unless it's going to be shipped or taken on a flight..I questioned about having a gun in your personal vehicle. He said not on AP property.
 
No problem, RR. I have a streak of Missouri in me, so I like to verify what people tell me (same as you were told) by finding a reliable source, such as the actual text of the law.

=====

BTW, I am sure the airport authority police lieutenant was being as helpful as possible. As part of Charlotte's city government structure, the airport falls under the city's ordinances. The lieutenant was probably aware of Charlotte Code Section 15-14 (below), but was unaware of the over-riding provision in state law.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, possess or have within his immediate access any dangerous weapon while in or upon any real property owned (except property owned by the city and leased to some other person or organization), leased, as lessee, or otherwise temporarily controlled by the city, whether such property is located within or outside the corporate city limits.

(d) This section shall not prohibit the lawful possession or carrying of dangerous weapons on the public streets and sidewalks, except as provided in section 15-18 (repealed).
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My sister has been bugging me to move to NC for a while now, and has offered me a job in Raleigh. Hopefully it's friendlier than Fayetteville :cuss:
 
Fayetteville is a good town unless you are military. Just like any military town the "citizens" don't like their bread winners and think they are in a class above our soldiers.
As for carry and home protection. I have carried for 40 yrs and no trouble. At home you can stop someone breaking into your home but inside you can use lethal force ONLY if you are "in fear of your life" -----real good phrase to remember!!!!!!! Never say you were mad at them--only that you were in fear of your life. I place my pistol/s onto the dash of my vehicles during any stop or check. That way they cannot be considered concealed and makes "smokey" feel safer. In South Carolina, you have to have them in the pocket or console and locked if possible. In other words--not readily available. You will find that LEOs here are mostly very gun friendly. They seem not to like "saturday night specials"--lol.
 
So what good will my MI CCW do? Will it cover me to conceal and carry until I get a NC permit, or is the MI CCW void the second I apply for residency?
 
Just like any military town the "citizens" don't like their bread winners and think they are in a class above our soldiers.
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Speaking as a civilian in a NC military town, I'd have to say that it is only a minority of civilians who feel that way. Don't let a few jerks spoil your view of the rest of us.
 
I can only reiterate what others have said. NC is generally pretty gun friendly outside of Chapel Hill and Cary, of course. I sometimes open carry into Food Lion and Walmart and have never been hassled. When pulled for a traffic stop or road block I always put my hands out the window resting on the door and I inform the officer I am carrying, where it is and whether or not it's loaded. I have never been given a second glance. Even once pulled with two pistols up front, two AKMs in the trunk, and two 870s in the back seat (coming from three-gun comp). The officer just laughed and said "You think you got enough firepower?".

Can't tell ya about CCW cuz I ain't got one.

Fayetteville ain't so bad, for civies. Don't like the way many store owners treat military though (I am a vet but never at Bragg).
 
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