Mecklenburg County North Carolina

A

Alex45ACP

New member
Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get a pistol purchase permit in Mecklenburg County? I had read that it takes 3-5 days and when I called the Sheriff's office to ask today they said it takes 2-3 weeks!

Is it basically "shall issue" if your background check comes up clean, or can the sheriff discriminate with impunity?

Also, what are the rules as to how many permits you can get in a certain amount of time? I had heard that you can only get 3 permits "at once", but what does "at once" mean? Can I get 3 today and then go in there tomorrow and get 3 more?
 
Permitting seems to vary greatly across the state. It seems the sheriff is empowered to make the process go quickly or slowly depending on their own personal take on the matter. In my expereince it has aways taken a number of days to get permits but never 2-3 weeks.

The larger metro areas seem to be the hardest to work with. In one case years back you had to take 2 references with you when you applied and they had to reside in the county, fill out paperwork, etc. I seem to remember the price varies from place to place but $10 each was common when I was getting mine.

It's been years since I've had a permit. Too inconvenient, which is the intended purpose IMO. I would imagine getting the max number of permits back to back on different days would raise a few eyebrows and it seems at least some offices might not be willing to do that. It seems to me you would be raising suspecions you might be a professional straw purchaser.

Good luck, it's NC gun law.

S-
 
This is indeed a HUGE inconvenience. Not only is it unconstitutional, but it's pointless because they do a background check at the store when you purchase a firearm anyway. It's an old Jim Crow law these racist ******** haven't done away with yet.

I want to purchase a firearm from someone in another state but I'm hesitant to go through with it because I have no idea if the sheriff is going to deign to allow me to exercise my rights. If I don't get a permit, the gun will be stuck at the FFL and I'll be out a few hundred dollars. :mad:
 
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Can't speak to Mecklenburg, but I've bought permits in Cumberland (fayetteville), Chatham, and Alamance counties. Never did I have to wait more than 7 days (that was in Chatham and they had a printer malfunction which extended the wait by 2 days from the usual 5).

In Alamance you can get up to 6 permits at a time and they are good for 5 years. I think Chatham was 10 and 5. Not sure about Cumberland, that was a long time ago and I've mostly tried to forget I ever lived there :).

Also in Alamance they will only process one application for permits for you per calendar year so if you think you might want to buy a second gun that year you better get several while you can. Cost $5.00 each.

Edited to add CCW info:

To get the CCW in Alamance you can pick up a copy of the app in the Sherriff's dept. lobby. They have a tray with them there. You fill it out with a copy of course certificate, DL, SSN Card, and tax bill (to show address). Turn it in, get fingerprinted and it takes about 6-8 weeks to get back.
 
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Alex

If you have passed the background check for any gun purchases in the past you'll probably be AOK at the SO when they run you for the permits as long as nothing has been added to your record/you have back child support, etc.

Still, it always makes sense to have the permit when you go shopping. A more expensive but also more convenient alternative is to simply get your concealed carry license. It pretty much negates the SO/permit deal entirely.

S-
 
The process for purchase permits seems to be all over the map. In Cabarrus County, the initial application takes a week or more to process, but you can get subsequent permits by calling (to allow for the NICS check) and picking up the permits the next day. It has been years since my initial application and the clerks always ask how many permits I want when I go in. There may be a maximum number of permits that can be issued at one time, but I have never reached that number. :D

Mecklenburg County is entirely different. One of my friends in Mecklenburg County is getting a CCW license and he has to have a face-to-face interview (nearly 90 days before the first "available" appointment time) just to get a copy of the license application.
 
There is no provision in the law to require a face to face interview to get an application for a CCW. Someone needs to take the Sheriff to Court.
 
While I agree with the idea of taking the Sheriff to court, there is also no provision in the law to prohibit a face to face interview to get an application for a CCW. It sucks, but then again, it is Mecklenburg County.
 
I live in Cabarrus county and my shooting buddy lives in Meck-it took his permit 2 weeks to the day.The last permit he got was in March.I n my county I know you can get up to 5 permits at a time,don't know what meck is doing.

Charlotte is a completely different city than when I grew up in it.
 
The law spells out the Sheriff's role and the grounds on which he can deny the permit. Restricting access to the application is an end run around the law and a violation of the applicant's civil rights. The problem isn't requiring the interview, but requiring it to take place before one gets the application, and then rationing the interview appointments.
(a) The sheriff shall issue a permit to an applicant if the applicant qualifies under the following criteria:

(1) The applicant is a citizen of the United States and has been a resident of the State 30 days or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application.

(2) The applicant is 21 years of age or older.

(3) The applicant does not suffer from a physical or mental infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun.

(4) The applicant has successfully completed an approved firearms safety and training course which involves the actual firing of handguns and instruction in the laws of this State governing the carrying of a concealed handgun and the use of deadly force. The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission shall prepare and publish general guidelines for courses and qualifications of instructors which would satisfy the requirements of this subdivision. An approved course shall be any course which satisfies the requirements of this subdivision and is certified or sponsored by:

a. The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission,

b. The National Rifle Association, or

c. A law enforcement agency, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, taught by instructors certified by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission or the National Rifle Association.

Every instructor of an approved course shall file a copy of the firearms course description, outline, and proof of certification annually, or upon modification of the course if more frequently, with the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

(5) The applicant is not disqualified under subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The sheriff shall deny a permit to an applicant who:

(1) Is ineligible to own, possess, or receive a firearm under the provisions of State or federal law.

(2) Is under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony.

(3) Has been adjudicated guilty in any court of a felony.

(4) Is a fugitive from justice.

(5) Is an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana, alcohol, or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802.

(6) Is currently, or has been previously adjudicated by a court or administratively determined by a governmental agency whose decisions are subject to judicial review to be, lacking mental capacity or mentally ill. Receipt of previous consultative services or outpatient treatment alone shall not disqualify an applicant under this subdivision.

(7) Is or has been discharged from the armed forces under conditions other than honorable.

(8) Is or has been adjudicated guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor, including but not limited to, a violation of a misdemeanor under Article 8 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, or a violation of a misdemeanor under G.S. 14‑225.2, 14‑226.1, 14‑258.1, 14‑269.2, 14‑269.3, 14‑269.4, 14‑269.6, 14‑276.1, 14‑277, 14‑277.1, 14‑277.2, 14‑277.3, 14‑281.1, 14‑283, 14‑288.2, 14‑288.4(a)(1) or (2), 14‑288.6, 14‑288.9, 14‑288.12, 14‑288.13, 14‑288.14, 14‑318.2, or 14‑415.21(b).

(9) Has had entry of a prayer for judgment continued for a criminal offense which would disqualify the person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit.

(10) Is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing for a crime which would disqualify him from obtaining a concealed handgun permit.

(11) Has been convicted of an impaired driving offense under G.S. 20‑138.1, 20‑138.2, or 20‑138.3 within three years prior to the date on which the application is submitted. (1995, c. 398, s. 1; c. 509, s. 135.3(d); 1997‑441, s. 4.)
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In Columbus county, where I'm originally from, it was a 7 day wait, and cost $15 per permit, with a limit of 3 per session.

In Orange county, NC, where i live now, its a 30 DAY wait, and you must provide 3, non-relative, notarised character refrences. The permit is $15, and youre limited to one per session.

Personally, I wish i got extra permits before i left home.
 
In any county in NC, you can purchase with your CCW permit. No waiting for lazy pistol clerks to issue you purchase permits. If you purchase a few handguns a year, the CCW permit pays for itself. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.
 
I've always thought the law makers in my State of S.C.

were some of the screwest nuts on the bush.... but our Sister State of N.C. has got to top it.... I can't believe no one has challanged this law. It is obviously ment to discourage and discriminate I bet someone with the time could get public records that prove this.
 
"of the screwest nuts on the bush"

So you must have lived in the Tarheel State at one time :)
I guess we need to be protected from ourselves more than peps in SC and other places.

S-
 
Do you know a firearms lawyer who would take such a case pro bono?
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No, nor do I know of anyone with standing. Fortunately, I don't live in Mecklenburg. If I were affected, I'd spend my own money to pursue this. I think the Sheriff needs to be sued personally, as violating civil rights is not a duty of his office, no matter what he thinks. I think the plaintiff ought to ask the court to require the Sheriff to pay his legal fees.
It would be nice if the NRA, GOA or GRNC would pursue this.
 
Lived in Mecklenburg County for 11 years then went over the wall about 18 months ago. The sheriff is a stand up guy. The district attorney is a totally different kind of life form.

IIRC my first application required me to go to the sheriff's office. Don't remember if it was to deliver or pick it up. In any case I recall it to something like 30 days. I purchase 3 permits the first time for a total cost of $15. My second purchase was handled by mail. Again I bought three for $15. Seems the second purchase took a week.

The background check is done with the permit. Get the permit and buy the gun, no delay, no waiting period.

The smart play is it get a CCH which does away with the purchase permit.

NC gun law is interesting. The CCH class you have to take is dictated by the AG's office and spends almost 1/2 of class time going over legal issues on the deadly use of force.

BTW, you are kidding yourself if you think you are maintaining a lower profile by not having fingerprints on file.
 
Well, I would suggest moving up the road to Alexander county. Took about 10 minutes at the Sheriffs office here when I got my first purchase permit. Got two at the time for $5 each. After I completed the CCW course in Wilkes County it took about a half hour of my time to get the paperwork and fingerprints done. I got the permit back inside of a month.

I like my Sheriff, The day I got there to do the permit the deputy that does the paperwork had just left a few minutes earlier and the sheriff called him back to the office to work the permit process.:eek:

That was going above and beyond for a citizen.

And the deputy was even polite even though he had to come back to work.:(

Dave
 
I guess my issue with NC law on this point is pretty simple. Other places do not require it and I would argue they have no more crime or illegal handguns sales than we do.

In this day of Instant Check, which our tax dollars pay for BTW, the justifications for maintining the policy and law are just too thin. CHL or no CHL, the FBI check still has to be run. The current system of permitting just adds another layer of control, inconvenience and fees on honest citizens. Show me just what the proven value of this system is to the community and I'm open to changing my mind.

The bad guys find a way around this system and others like it because, by definition, they don't follow the rules.

Best,

S-
 
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