The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing applications for pistol purchase permits, including those already pending.
Effective immediately, sheriffs in North Carolina will no longer issue pistol purchase permits. Following a vote yesterday morning by the General Assembly to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections, all state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed.
Sheriff Charles Blackwood said, “While many sheriffs felt very strongly about holding onto the pistol purchase permitting process, certainly there are reasons for a change to a more comprehensive system. However, law enforcement has a concern that depending solely on a NICS check is not exhaustive enough. I felt strongly the override would occur. We now have to explore better options to ensure the safety of our communities. I hope that both sides of the aisle will realize the importance of working together in that regard.”
Any person who wants to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina no longer has to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit. However, any person who wants to purchase a handgun through a firearms dealer will still undergo the background check required under current law. If the background check indicates the person is disqualified from possessing a firearm, the dealer will deny the sale.
It is important for citizens to remember that anyone wishing to obtain or transfer any firearm, including a handgun, must still comply with federal and State laws governing who may lawfully possess a firearm. Criminal penalties apply for anyone who knowingly transfers a handgun to a person who may not lawfully possess the firearm (such as a convicted felon).
North Carolina laws regarding carrying concealed handguns have not changed.
Any person residing in Orange County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.