North Carolina Vehicle Firearm Carry Rules

NCGS 14-269 makes it unlawful to willfully and intentionally carry a concealed handgun about one's person off one's premises without a valid concealed handgun permit. Inside a private passenger vehicle, a handgun carried within reach of the driver or passenger and out of plain view is treated as concealed. Lawful options include open and visible carry within the vehicle, storage in a locked container, the glove compartment, or trunk, or carry by a permit holder under NCGS 14-415.10 et seq. Long guns may be transported but cannot be loaded on most public roadways under separate hunting and traffic laws. Local governments are preempted from enacting conflicting rules under NCGS 14-409.40.

Carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a permit is a Class 2 misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class H felony for subsequent offenses under NCGS 14-269.