North Carolina State Law Summary

Posted on January 1, 2012

Last updated December 29, 2011

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. North Carolina ranked 31st out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws.

Among other things, North Carolina requires all handgun purchasers to first obtain a license, after undergoing a background check. However, North Carolina does not:

Require a person to undergo a background check prior to purchasing a long gun from an unlicensed seller;
Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
License or significantly regulate firearms dealers;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;
Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms;
Regulate unsafe handguns;
Regulate ammunition sales;
Allow local governments to regulate firearms or ammunition; or
Provide local law enforcement with discretion to deny a license to carry firearms.

Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, in every year from 2006 through 2009, North Carolina was one of the top ten interstate suppliers of crime guns. North Carolina is the top interstate supplier of crime guns to Virginia and South Carolina.