Certain residents of North Carolina may be eligible to obtain a permit which would allow them to carry a concealed handgun under certain conditions. No other weapons can be carried concealed pursuant to this permit. Once issued, the permit is valid throughout the state of North Carolina for a period of 5 years, unless it is revoked. 

In order to acquire a concealed handgun permit, an individual must apply to the Sheriff’s Office in the county in which he or she resides. Applications are completed online by visiting the Sheriff’s Office website, www.ucso.us and following the link for “Concealed Handgun Permits.” Payment is also made online at the time of application. 

As a part of the application process, the applicant must submit the following items: 

• Concealed handgun permit application packet (signed and notarized) 
• First Time Applications- $90.00 non-refundable permit/fingerprint fee (paid online at time of application). 
• Renewal Applications- $75.00 non-refundable permit fee (paid online at time of application) 
• Two full sets of fingerprints taken by the Sheriff’s Office (first time applications only) 
• Valid photo ID showing current Union County address (driver’s license or NC ID card) 

If you are applying for a concealed handgun permit for the FIRST TIME, you will also need to bring the following: (These items will not be required to renew your permit if they are already on file.) 

• Original certificate of completion of approved firearms safety course 
• Form DD-214 or similar proof of military discharge status for applicants having previously served in the military. 

Fingerprinting is done by appointment only. Appointments are scheduled online when the application is completed and all paperwork will be turned in at the Sheriff’s Office on the date of the appointment. 

If making application to RENEW a concealed handgun permit, you should also submit: 

 Affidavit for Renewal of Permit (included in online application packet) 

A criminal background check is conducted on all applicants. The Sheriff has up to 45 days from the date all application materials are received (including mental health records checks) to either issue or deny the permit. In order to be approved to receive a concealed handgun permit, an applicant must, among other things: 

• Be a citizen of the United States 
• Be at least 21 years of age 
• Have been a resident of Union County and North Carolina for the past 30 days prior to filing the application 
• Not suffer from any physical or mental infirmity which would prevent the safe handling and operation of a firearm 
• Successfully complete an approved firearms training and safety course. 

You will be notified by phone or email when your permit is ready to be picked up. Permits must be picked up in person at the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your convenience. You must bring a valid photo ID in order to pick up your permit. Your address on your driver’s license must match the address on your permit. 

Renewing of Concealed Handgun Permits 

It is the applicant’s responsibility to renew the permit before it expires. The permit will expire at 12:00am on the date listed on the card. Renewal applications may be submitted beginning 90 days prior to the expiration date. If a permit expires, and an application for renewal has not been submitted, an individual may not carry his or her weapon concealed until a new application has been approved and a permit issued. 

The renewal process will be similar to the original application except the Sheriff has waived the need for existing permit holders to re-take the firearms safety course. However, if a permit holder allows a permit to expire, he or she will be treated as a new applicant and will be required to take the firearms safety class and be re-fingerprinted again. 

Rules for Carrying a Concealed Handgun 

In North Carolina, concealed handguns may not be carried: 

• Areas prohibited by G.S. § 14-277.2 (Picket lines or demonstrations); 
• Areas prohibited by G.S. § 14-269.4 (Certain State properties such as courthouses) 
• Areas prohibited by rules adopted under G.S. § 120-32.1 (Legislative buildings); 
• Areas prohibited by 18 USC § 922 or any other federal law; 
• Any law enforcement agency or correctional facility; 
• Any building housing only State or federal offices;
•  An office of the State or federal government that is not located in a building exclusively occupied by the State or federal government; 
• Any premises where notice that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a conspicuous notice, or statement by the person in legal possession or control of the premises; 
• School grounds under G.S. § 14-269.2, except permittees can secure their handguns in their vehicle on school grounds. (Note: Private schools reserve the right to prohibit firearms altogether.) 

Permittees are specifically allowed to carry a concealed handgun in the following areas: 

• Premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed unless the premises is posted to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms. Of course, the permittee may not consume any alcohol while carrying in this area. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269.3; 20 
• Premises where a fee is charged for admission unless the premises is posted to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269.3; 
• Grounds or waters of a park within the State Parks System as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-44.9. 

To possess a concealed handgun in North Carolina, you must: 

• Carry your permit and a valid form of identification with you at all times whenever the handgun is being carried concealed 
• Disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit when you are approached or addressed by any law enforcement officer in North Carolina 
• Inform the officer that you are in possession of a concealed handgun 
• Present both the permit and valid identification at the request of an officer 

NOTE: You should not attempt to draw or display either your weapon or your permit unless directed to do so by an officer. Keep your hands in plain view and do not make any sudden movements. 

Reasons for Denial of a Concealed Handgun Permit 

The Sheriff must deny a permit to any applicant whom: 

• is ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under provisions of State or Federal law 
• is under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony or has been adjudicated (found) guilty in any court of a felony 
• is a fugitive from justice
•  is an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana, alcohol, or any depressant, stimulant, or a narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance 
• is currently, or has been previously adjudicated by a court, or administratively determined to be lacking mental capacity or mentally ill. (No time limitation is placed on when the adjudication or mental incapacity had to have occurred) 
• has been discharged from the U.S. armed services under conditions other than honorable 
• has had a prayer for judgment continued for a criminal offense which would disqualify the person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit 
• is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a crime which would disqualify the person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit
• has been convicted of an impaired driving offense under NC General Statute § 20-138.1, 20-138.2 or 20-138.3 within three (3) years prior to the date on which the application was submitted 

Effective July 1, 2015 for all concealed handgun permit applications submitted on or after that date, an applicant who has been found guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or a suspended sentence for one of the following crimes listed in (a) through (t), and three years has passed prior to submitting the application: 

a. N.C.G.S. § 14-33(a), Simple assault; 

b. N.C.G.S. § 14-226.1, Violation of court orders; 15 

c. N.C.G.S. § 14-258.1, Furnishing poison, controlled substances, deadly weapons, cartridges, ammunition or alcoholic beverages to inmates of charitable, mental or penal institutions, or local confinement facilities; 

d. N.C.G.S. § 14-269.2, Carrying weapons on campus or other educational property; 

e. N.C.G.S. § 14-269.3, Carrying weapons into assemblies and establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed; 

f. N.C.G.S. § 14-269.4, Carrying weapons on State property and courthouses; 

g. N.C.G.S. § 14-269.6, Possession and/or sale of spring-loaded projectile knives; 

h. N.C.G.S. § 14-277, Impersonation of a law enforcement or other public officer; 

i. N.C.G.S. § 14-277.1, Communicating threats; 

j. N.C.G.S. § 14-277.2, Carrying weapons at parades and other public gatherings; 

k. N.C.G.S. § 14-283, Exploding dynamite cartridges and/or bombs (however fireworks violations under N.C.G.S. § 14-414 are NOT a bar); 

l. N.C.G.S. § 14-288.2, Rioting and inciting to riot; 

m. N.C.G.S. § 14-288.4(a)(1), Fighting or conduct creating the threat of imminent fighting or other violence; 

n. N.C.G.S. § 14-288.6, Looting and trespassing during an emergency; 

o. N.C.G.S. § 14-288.9, Assault on emergency personnel; 

p. Former N.C.G.S. § 14-288.12, Violations of city State of Emergency Ordinances; 

q. Former N.C.G.S. § 14-288.13, Violations of county State of Emergency Ordinances; 

r. Former N.C.G.S. § 14-288.14, Violations of State of Emergency Ordinances; 

s. N.C.G.S. § 14-415.21(b), Violations of the standards for carrying a concealed weapon; 

t. N.C.G.S. § 14-415.26(d), Misrepresentation on certification of qualified retired law enforcement officers. 

Effective July 1, 2015 for all concealed handgun permit applications submitted on or after that date, an applicant IS permanently disqualified from receiving a concealed handgun permit if the applicant is or has been found guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for the following misdemeanor crimes: 

a. Misdemeanor crimes that involve violence and crimes under Article 8 of Chapter 14 (other than the misdemeanors listed in paragraph 10(a) through (t) above). Prohibiting crimes under Article 8 of Chapter 14 are: 

i. Assault on handicapped persons (N.C.G.S. § 14-32.1(f)); Assaults on sports officials (N.C.G.S. § 14-33(b)(9)); 

ii. Assault on government employee (N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(4)); 

iii. Assault on school employee (N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(6)); 

iv. Assault on public transit operator (N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(7)); 

v. Assault on company police officer (N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(8)); 

vi. Assault by pointing a gun (N.C.G.S. § 14-34); 

vii. Possession of Teflon coated bullets (N.C.G.S. § 14-34.3); 

b. N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(1), Assault inflicting serious injury or using a deadly weapon; 

c. N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(2), Assault on a female; 

d. N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(3), Assault on a child under the age of 12; 

e. N.C.G.S. § 14-33(d), Assault inflicting serious injury or using a deadly weapon on a person in a personal relationship and in the presence of a minor; 

f. N.C.G.S. § 14-277.3A, Stalking; 

g. N.C.G.S. § 14-318.2, Child abuse; 

h. N.C.G.S. § 14-134.3, Domestic criminal trespass; 

i. N.C.G.S. § 50B-4.1, Domestic violence protective order violations; 

j. Former N.C.G.S. § 14-277.3, Stalking; 

k. Any person convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” as defined in federal law at 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8); 

l. Any crimes involving an assault or a threat to assault a law enforcement officer, probation or parole officer, person employed at a State or local detention facility, 17 firefighter, emergency medical technician, medical responder, or emergency department personnel. 

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.12(b)(1-11) 

Please see the document “The Do’s and Don’ts of Carrying a Concealed Handgun” which is part of the application packet for more information on places where concealed handguns may not be carried and other rules and regulations for carrying a concealed handgun.