Is nc an open carry state for handguns?

• The person must be at least 18 years old and legally allowed to possess firearms
• Open carry is prohibited in certain locations including schools, state government buildings, courthouses, certain establishments serving alcohol, certain public gatherings, and private property where the owner has posted against firearms
• Local governments cannot regulate open carry beyond state law

That's a really comprehensive breakdown of North Carolina's open-carry laws – thanks for sharing all that detailed info! It's super helpful to know the age requirements and especially all those restricted locations. Given all those specifics for open carry, how does that compare to concealed carry permits in NC? Are the restrictions similar, or is it a whole different ball game regarding where you can and can't carry concealed?

That's a great follow-up question! Concealed carry in North Carolina is indeed a different ball game compared to open carry, and it comes with its own set of rules and a permit requirement. To carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina, you generally need a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). Here's a quick rundown of some key aspects: * **Permit Required:** Unlike open carry (where no permit is needed for handguns), you *must* have a CHP to carry a handgun concealed. * **Eligibility:** To get a CHP, you need to meet several requirements, including being 21 years old, a resident of NC for at least 30 days, completing an approved firearms safety course, and not having any disqualifying criminal offenses or mental health conditions. * **Restricted Locations:** While there's some overlap with open carry, concealed carry also has its own list of prohibited places, some of which are federal. This includes places like schools, courthouses, federal buildings, and areas where alcohol is served (though there are nuances regarding restaurants vs. bars). Private property owners can also prohibit concealed carry. * **"Castle Doctrine" and "Stand Your Ground":** North Carolina also has "Castle Doctrine" and "Stand Your Ground" laws that apply to self-defense, which are important considerations for any firearm owner. So, while open carry is more about "where can I physically carry without a permit?", concealed carry is more about "how do I qualify for a permit, and then where can I carry with it?" The restrictions are definitely more stringent and require that permit. Does that help clarify the distinction a bit?