New Handgun Permit

As of December 1, 1995, 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 you live in.

Applying

The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office will be accepting applications for Concealed Handgun Permits by appointment only. Once completing your North Carolina Firearms Safety Course (which must be taught by an instructor approved by the North Carolina Training Standards Commission) you will need to contact the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office at 336-903-7600 to set up an appointment.

Online Application

You can also apply for a concealed carry permit online.

Application Requirements

If you are applying for a New Concealed Handgun Permit you will need to bring the following to your appointment:
  • Valid North Carolina Driver's License (showing your correct address)
  • Original certificate of completion for firearms safety course
  • DD-214 or similar proof of military discharge status for applicants that have previously served in the military (we need a copy of your DD-214 forms for every tour of duty)
  • For your convenience all paperwork will be filled out for you when you arrive for the appointment

Deniable Offenses

Must be eligible to own, posses or receive a firearm under the provisions of State or Federal Law. See NC. Firearm Laws. Deniable offenses include but are not limited to:
  • All assault charges
  • Carry concealed weapons charges
  • Numerous Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges and any DWI within the past 3 years
  • Any felony conviction
  • Any drug conviction in the past 5 years
  • Any assault on law enforcement officer
  • Any delay or resist / obstruct charge

Background Check

A criminal background check will be conducted on all applicants. In order to be approved to receive a concealed handgun permit, an applicant must, among other things:
  • Be a citizen of the United States (born or naturalized)
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have been a resident of Wilkes County 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

Concealed Handgun Permit Cost

  • First time applications - $90, non-refundable permit / fingerprint fee

Permit is Ready

You will be notified by phone when your permit is ready to be picked up. Permits will be picked up in person at the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. You must bring your valid North Carolina Driver's License in order to pick up your permit. If an applicant's permit is denied they will receive a written explanation from the Sheriff of Wilkes County within 90 days.

Expiration

It is the applicant's responsibility to renew the permit before it expires. The permit will expire at Midnight on the date listed on the card. However a new law (G.S. 14 to 415.16 (e) has been passed that states if a permittee does not apply to renew the permit prior to its expiration date, but does apply to renew the permit within 60 days after the permit expires, the Sheriff may waive the requirement of taking another firearms safety and training course. This does not extend the expiration date of the permit. And the cost will be $80. You can renew your permit up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. If a permit expires, an individual may not carry his or her weapon concealed until a new permit has been received by the applicant.

Reciprocity

The state of North Carolina does not honor out of state permits when it comes up for renewal, your applications will be considered new. However North Carolina has reciprocity with other states. Those states recognizing North Carolina's concealed handgun permittees will automatically be granted reciprocity for carrying concealed handguns within North Carolina. The states granting such reciprocity, recognized by North Carolina, will be a constantly changing list which can be viewed at the North Carolina Department of Justice Concealed Handguns Reciprocity.