Can you have a gun in your car without a concealed carry permit? What NC law says

Concealed carry permits allow North Carolina residents to transport firearms on their person and in their vehicles. But what if you don’t have a permit?

Open carry is legal in North Carolina without a permit if you are at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions , according to Raleigh-based Manning Law Firm .

State law also includes rules on driving with a firearm in your vehicle without a permit. Here’s what to know about open carry while traveling in North Carolina.

Can you open carry in your vehicle in NC?

North Carolina law allows gun owners without concealed carry permits to transport firearms in their vehicles, but the weapons must be displayed openly, visible and readily seen , according to Charlotte-based law firm Randall & Stump .

However, state law allows those without concealed carry permits to store weapons in the trunk , since they wouldn’t be within reach of anyone in the vehicle.

“If you’re driving a vehicle with access to the trunk area, like an SUV or van, your weapon must be securely locked away in a container ,” the firm says.

What is the penalty for concealing a gun inside a vehicle in NC?

First-time offenders convicted of illegally concealing a weapon without a permit could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which comes with up to 60 days in jail and a fine , according to Randall & Stump.

Any subsequent offense could result in a felony conviction, punishable by up to 39 months in prison depending on criminal history, the firm says.

Can you fly with a gun in NC?

People over the age of 18 can fly with firearms and ammunition, but they must be unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container . They can only be transported in checked baggage , according to the Transportation Security Administration .

Gun owners must also declare their firearms or ammunition when checking their bags at the ticket counter, the TSA says.

What is the penalty for carrying a loaded gun through TSA?

If TSA finds you have a loaded gun in the airport, “you will be charged with a crime and face civil fines ,” says law firm Randall & Stump.

“Also, if you have an unloaded gun that is not stored and transported properly, you will face charges and civil fines.”

Attempting to transport a gun through a TSA checkpoint could lead to thousands of dollars in fines , the firm says.

Fines range from a few hundred dollars for BB guns and flare pistols to nearly $10,000 for any type of loaded firearm (or unloaded with accessible ammunition).

You could also be fined between $650 and $2,610 for firearms that are not stored properly inside your luggage.

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