General Information
Note: Due to the volume of requests for purchase permits, the current wait time is approximately 30 days and for concealed carry permits, the wait time is 90 days. We apologize for the inconvenience, but our goal is to ensure each citizen is given the attention needed to complete the process.
Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the gun is to be used. Generally, laws require the following:
Permits to buy handguns in North Carolina can be obtained from the county sheriff (or, in 10 counties, the clerk of superior court). In Mecklenburg County it is the Sheriff's Office.
The office hours to fill out a handgun purchase permit are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $5.00.
Anyone wishing to use the service should come to the Gun Permits Bureau Office which is located at 715 E. Fourth St., Suite 200. The building is across the street from the current Criminal Courthouse and behind the historic Mecklenburg County Courthouse, slightly below street level.
Guns must be carried in plain view. Guns must not be carried in a pocket, purse, under a car seat or in any other concealed manner unless you have a concealed handgun permit.
The North Carolina General Assembly enacted a concealed handgun law that allows qualifying citizens of North Carolina the opportunity to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun. This law became effective on December 1, 1995, and requires that the permit be secured from the sheriff of the permit holder's county of residence.
Gaining competency with firearms is like learning to drive a car or fly an airplane. You need expert instruction and practice. There is no shortcut. If you are not willing to invest the time and effort to become competent, then having a firearm and trying to use it can, in many instances, be more hazardous than any impending threat.
Storage of firearms and ammunition presents a unique responsibility. Children may see weapons as toys, and thieves view them as a tool for crime or an item that can be sold for quick profit. Keep all firearms locked away in a secure place.
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Handgun Purchase Permit Requirements
Applicant must:
- be a citizen, a naturalized citizen or a resident alien;
- be twenty-one (21) years of age;
- have attained at least one month's residency in Mecklenburg County;
- provide a valid driver's license or other picture ID with current address provided by the state of North Carolina.
A criminal background check must be performed before granting of permit.
Permit to purchase a handgun costs five dollars ($5.00).
Permit to purchase a handgun is valid for a period of five (5) years from date of issue.
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Concealed Handgun Permit Requirements
Applicant must:
- be twenty-one (21) years of age;
- be a resident of Mecklenburg County and a resident of North Carolina for thirty (30) days;
- be a citizen or naturalized citizen of the United States of America;
- not suffer from any mental or physical infirmity which would prevent safe handgun handling and operation;
- provide a valid N.C. driver's license or other picture ID with current address provided by the state of North Carolina;
- successfully complete a firearms training and safety course that has been designed by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Standards Commission (See Yellow Pages or a firearms dealer for businesses that provide training).
A criminal background check that takes about 90 days must be performed before granting of permit.
Applicant must make an appointment to apply for permit.
Applicant must apply in person and have a verifiable training certificate and a valid picture ID in hand (NC driver's license or other picture ID with current address provided by the state of North Carolina).
A Concealed Weapon Permit requires a $90.00 non-refundable fee (which includes a $10.00 fingerprint fee) payable by cash, money order or certified check. If paying with cash, please bring exact amount since we have very little cash on hand. Personal checks are not accepted.
Visit the Attorney General's website for additional information: http://www.ncdoj.com/law_enforcement/cle_handguns.jsp
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Concealed Handgun Reciprocity in North Carolina
For a current list of states that have concealed handgun permit agreements with North Carolina, click here
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Ineligibility for Concealed Handgun Permit
Persons not eligible include anyone:
- found guilty or received a prayer for judgement continued or suspended sentence for any crimes of violence or misdemeanor assaults as defined by General Statutes;
- under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony;
- found guilty in any court for a felony;
- receiving a prayer for judgement continued for any criminal offense which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit;
- who is a fugitive from justice;
- who is an unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs;
- discharged from the armed forces for other than honorable reasons;
- who has been ruled mentally ill;
- ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law;
- free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a crime which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit;
- convicted of an impaired driving offense within three years prior to application date.
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Rules For Carrying a Concealed Handgun
You must notify the sheriff issuing the permit of any change of address within thirty (30) days of the change.
You may not carry a concealed handgun while consuming or after having consumed alcohol or other controlled substance which alters judgment or physical control.
Handgun may be concealed in purse or pocket.
Permit and a valid North Carolina issued picture ID must be on your person when carrying a concealed handgun.
You must tell any approaching law enforcement officer that you are carrying a concealed handgun.
Failure to carry permit or to notify approaching law enforcement officer is an infraction for the first offense, a misdemeanor in subsequent instances.
Permits can be revoked for lying on application, lending your permit to another person or being charged with a crime.
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Renewing of Concealed Handgun Permits
If a permit expires, an individual may not carry his or her weapon concealed until a new application has been approved and issued.
The renewal process will be similar to the original application except the Sheriff has waived the necessity for existing permit holders to re-take the firearms safety course. However, if a permit holder allows a permit to expire, he or she will be treated as a new applicant and will be required to take the firearms safety class again.
Renewal applicants must apply in person by calling the Sheriff's Office Gun Permits Bureau at 704-336-3664 to schedule an appointment. Appointments will be available Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 to 11:00 a.m.
At the appointment, applicants will fill out a concealed handgun renewal form, sign a notarized affidavit stating they remain qualified under the concealed handgun law, have a new set of fingerprints taken, sign mental health release forms and pay a non-refundable renewal fee of $85 — payable only in cash, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
An applicant also must bring to the appointment a valid picture ID (NC driver's license or other picture ID with current address provided by the state of North Carolina).
The Sheriff's Office Permit Bureau is located at 715 E. 4th St., behind the historic Courthouse and across the street from the Criminal Courthouse at 720 E 4th St.
Once issued, the permit is valid throughout the state for a period of five years, unless it is revoked.
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Gun Safety Tips for Parents
- If you keep a handgun in your home, always keep it unloaded and locked up!
- Always lock and store bullets separately from your gun. Young children can figure out how to load a gun.
- Keep a gun lock on your gun after it is unloaded. [Gun locks are excellent devices when used in combination with other safety habits. Gun locks can provide a false sense of security. All it takes is forgetting to lock a gun just one time. Or leaving the key where a child can find it. Always be diligent when using a gun lock. Always double check to make sure that it is locked at all times.]
- Make sure children don't have access to the keys to gun locks and gun and amunition storage areas.
- Even if you don't own a gun, talk with your children about the danger of guns and what to do if they find one while playing or at a friend's house.
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Explain to your children that guns are dangerous and that they should never touch them.
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For More Information, Contact:
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office
Tamara Rhode
Tamara.Rhode@mecklenburgcountync.gov
TEL.:704.336.8731
Fax: 704.432.5246
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