News

Sheriff's offices no longer process pistol purchase applications

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 29, 2023

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing pistol purchase permit applications including pending applications now that the General Assembly has repealed state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs.

On Wednesday morning, the Legislature voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill titled "Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections," meaning that any person who wants to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina no longer has to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit. 

However, any person who wants to purchase a handgun through a firearms dealer will still undergo the background check required under current law and either be sold the handgun or denied sale if the background check indicates the person is disqualified from possessing a firearm, the sheriff's office said.
Criminal penalties still apply for anyone that knowingly transfers a handgun to a person who may not lawfully possess the firearm (such as a convicted felon).  Therefore, it is important for citizens to remember that anyone wishing to obtain or transfer any firearm, including a handgun, must still comply with federal and state laws governing who may lawfully possess a firearm, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
It is important to understand that North Carolina concealed handgun laws have not changed. Any person residing in Henderson County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.