State Gun Laws

There can be other reasons (aside from criminal convictions and being the respondent on a protection order) that can make it illegal for someone to possess a gun. Under North Carolina law, a person has to first apply for a permit before legally owning a firearm. The following people should be denied the permit according to the law and, therefore, cannot legally possess a firearm:

• someone who was found not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity;
• someone who was determined to not have the mental capacity to proceed in a criminal case;¹
• someone who is an illegal drug user or an addict;
• someone who has been found to be mentally incompetent by a judge or has been committed to any mental institution;
• an illegal immigrant in the United States or someone who has renounced his/her U.S. citizenship; or
• someone who has been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions.²

If none of these situations apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Safety Planning page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help.

For additional information on gun laws in North Carolina, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun under other circumstances. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

¹ NCGS § 14-415.3(a)
² NCGS § 14-404(c)