Home » Practice Areas » Criminal Law » Unlawful Concealment of a Firearm in North Carolina
There are many reasons to carry a firearm in North Carolina legally. For instance, if you or your family faces imminent danger, you can complete the necessary firearm and self-defense training course to get a concealed weapons permit (CCW). Licensing requirements for concealed carrying are crucial to regulating guns for individuals who want a tactile advantage over life-threatening situations.
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While some states allow their residents to carry unlicensed handguns, unlawful firearm concealment is a serious criminal offense that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Keep reading to ensure you’re operating within the scope of concealed weapon laws and what to do should you be found guilty of unlawful concealment of a firearm in NC.
Concealment of a firearm is defined as knowingly carrying a gun on or about your person in a manner that’s not outrightly visible to others. A gun is not considered “concealed” if in possession of a licensed individual, in a belt holster where it’s substantially visible, carried to lawfully engage in hunting, or placed inside a car compartment.
Gun control and enforcement is a subject of contention in the US. The federal government leaves specific firearm laws up to individual states. As such, each state has its own rules regarding gun rights, enforcement, and related penalties for firearm concealment. Although North Carolina is a gun-friendly state, there are restrictions on who can carry a gun and where. For example, you may face legal repercussions if you’re caught possessing a firearm while you have been convicted of a felony or other crimes.
Note that if you are above 18 years with no felony convictions, you can legally own and openly carry a firearm in NC without a permit. However, as a “Shall Issue state,” you need to obtain a license/permit from the local sheriff to conceal carry a handgun in North Carolina. If you are concealing a firearm, you must carry its permit at all times, especially within permitted areas, including inside your car, within state and national parks, roadside rest areas, etc. Also, state gun laws require you to inform law enforcement officers you have a gun in your possession if pulled over.
It’s unlawful to conceal a weapon without a permit, have a gun in prohibited areas in North Carolina, or transport an unlicensed firearm in a vehicle you own or occupy. Depending on the severity of the offense, including past convictions, consequences of unlawful concealment of a firearm in North Carolina can range from a misdemeanor to a felony charge.
Unless you are exempt under NC State’s concealed carry law or are a Constitutional Carry resident, the misdemeanor or felony charges you face can tarnish your clean record. It’s essential to understand your legal rights when faced with charges of unlawful concealment of a revolver, pistol, or other firearms in North Carolina.
Being mindful of gun laws in North Carolina is vital; failing to do so may, unfortunately, land you in the back of a patrol car. The offense of unlawful firearm concealment is defined under the North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) on carrying concealed weapons.
The law states that an individual carrying a concealed firearm on or about their person may be committing a misdemeanor. To dispute the charge at trial, you need an experienced firearm concealment attorney who can challenge whether the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the firearm was unlawfully concealed.
Whether you’re facing a concealed weapon charge or have been wrongly accused due to a misunderstanding, you need experienced legal advice and support to help you avoid jail time or significant fines. Additionally, having a criminal offense on your record can create long-term challenges. At the very least, it can make it difficult to find employment. In more serious cases, your civil rights—such as the right to vote, own a firearm, or serve on a jury—may be restricted.
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Our criminal law attorneys defend clients against felony and misdemeanor charges in North and South Carolina. We understand how intimidating it is to be charged with a crime and face the criminal justice system.
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Because “knowledge” of concealed carry is required for a conviction, our skilled criminal defense lawyers at King Law can employ the relevant defenses based on the specifics of your case. If you believe you’ve acted within the law but are still facing gun charges, our legal team at King Law is well-versed in defending violations against North Carolina’s Concealed Carry Law.
Give us a call at (888) 748-5464 or (888) 748-5464. You can also fill out our contact form. Let us help you contest the charges and potentially avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.
