I live in a "blue" county, Guilford, which is one of the larger counties with Greensboro being the large urban center. Home to about 30,000 screaming-liberal college students. Plenty of Quakers, too.
You'd think it'd be hard to get permits here.
However, our Republican Sheriff, BJ Barnes, had the distinction a few years ago of granting more CCW permits than all the rest of the sheriff's, combined.
Don't know if that's the case these days or not, but I know two years ago I got 8 purchase permits at one time with only a 3 day wait. Until he's voted out of office, there's no problem getting a permit here. Which reminds me, I do need to get that CCW.
However, there are pretty much no rifle ranges within 50 miles of here. Only one pistol range in town, but it's real nice. Keep in mind the Greensboro PD is not gun friendly. The Sheriff is, the PD is not, but the PD has nothing to do with permits.
I've heard that Buncombe County, where Asheville is, up in the mountains is gun-friendly, which is surprising considering the rampant hippy population.
Just depends on where you live.