Walking home alone and feeling worried? Getting a weird feeling from someone on the bus? Some of us have been there, even if you have personally never felt yourself in a position that made you feel unsafe, having reassurance about your next move and what you can do to help yourself should the unlikable circumstance ever happen can make all the difference. This article talks about some of self-defense weapons that you may legally use in North Carolina.
Stand Your Ground Law
The state of North Carolina has adopted the “state your ground law” for its citizens. An individual is justified in the use of deadly force and doesn’t have a duty to retreat in any place he or she has the lawful right to be if either of the following applies:
- He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another.
- Under the circumstances permitted pursuant to G.S. 14‑51.2.
Gun Law in North Carolina
North Carolina law prohibits any person under the age of 18 from willfully and intentionally possessing or carrying a handgun, unless the minor possesses the handgun for educational or recreational purposes while supervised by an adult who is present, is emancipated and possesses the handgun inside his/her residence or possesses the handgun while hunting outside the limits of an incorporated municipality and has written permission from a parent or guardian.
It is a misdemeanor in North Carolina for any person to knowingly permit a child under age 12 to have access to, or possession, custody, or use in any manner of any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. (§ 106-503.2)
Concealed carry is legal with a license or permit. North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permits are issued to residents only and require a firearms training course that has been approved by the state. The minimum age is 21 years old. There are exceptions for members of the military permanently posted in North Carolina.
In terms of reciprocity, North Carolina recognizes permits from all states. Open carry is also legal in North Carolina without a permit. Counties may regulate the display of firearms on public roads, sidewalks, alleys or other public property. The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and the State Capitol grounds.
How to get a permit?
North Carolina law provides that no person may purchase or receive a handgun without a permit to purchase a handgun or a concealed handgun permit. Once obtained, a permit to purchase a handgun, issued by the sheriff of the county in which the purchaser resides, is valid for up to five years and may be used to purchase one handgun.
To obtain a permit, an applicant must be a resident of the county in which he or she is applying, unless the purpose of the permit is for collecting, in which case a sheriff can issue a permit to a nonresident.
North Carolina has no law that requires the comprehensive registration of firearms throughout the state. However, the sheriff of each county must keep a record of all permits to purchase a handgun, including the name, date, place of residence, and age of each person to whom a permit is issued.
Is it illegal to carry a pepper spray in North Carolina?
Pepper spray is a non-lethal self-defense weapon that you can possess and carry under the North Carolina law. There are some minor limitations, with regard to the size of the pepper spray container. You cannot carry containers of pepper spray larger than 5 ounces. There are exceptions to this rule of thumb, specifically that you can carry animal-grade pepper spray in containers that exceed the 5 ounce ceiling. You must be at least 18 years of age and haven’t been convicted for a felony for you to carry it and most of all should only be use for self-defense purpose.
Reasons to use pepper spray for self defense
- Simple to Carry
- Easy to Use
- Effective for self-defense
- It’s Accessible
Stun Gun Legislation in North Carolina
Stun guns and Tasers are two basic types of hand-held devices that can temporarily immobilized someone with an electrical charge. North Carolina law does not regulate the purchase of stun guns. Anyone in the state can buy one of these weapons and may carry and use it for a legal reason such as self-defense. But some state laws on dangerous or deadly weapons could potentially apply to stun guns or Tasers, and there may be local regulations on these devices.
Chapter 14. Criminal Law § 14-269. Carrying concealed weapons
“It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his or her person stun gun, or other deadly weapon of like kind, except when the person is on the person’s own premises.”
Except for law enforcement officers or certain other authorized personnel, it’s illegal in North Carolina to carry a concealed stun gun outside of your own home. If you’re charged with this crime, however, you may defend yourself by arguing that you had the weapon for a legitimate purpose and didn’t try to do anything illegal with it. The state also specifically prohibits carrying a stun gun on school property including public or private K-12 schools, colleges, or universities.
Tactical Pen is Legal in North Carolina
To make it simple, the tactical pen is a self-defense tool that is legal in North Carolina. There is a whole culture around tactical pens. When used efficiently, they can be a great survival material, but in the wrong hands, they are just an ordinary pen.
As a multi-use tool, tactical pens are great to have. A tactical pen is a great addition to any survival kit or even just to carry around in your purse or pocket. The modern tactical pen is really two different things–it is a functional writing material, but it is also a weapon for self-defense.
Knife Legislation in North Carolina
It is illegal for anyone, including police officers, to manufacture, sell, possess or carry any ‘ballistic knife’. There is a narrow exception whereby law enforcement officials may possess such knives for evidence or training purposes. Open carry is required, and legal, for all knives except ‘ordinary’ pocketknives which may be concealed. There is an exception that allows concealed carry for weapons in general at state-owned rest areas, rest stops along the highways, and State-owned hunting and fishing reservations. § 14-269.4
Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations or Circumstances
“It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his or her person any bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shuriken, or other deadly weapon of like kind, except when the person is on the person’s own premises.” (§ 14-269)
“It is unlawful to possess any weapons, except an ‘ordinary’ pocketknife, at any demonstration, parade, picket line, or funeral procession on private hospital grounds or on state or municipal owned property.” (§ 14-277.2)
“It is lawful to possess an ‘ordinary’ pocketknife in the State Capitol Building or the grounds thereof. All weapons are prohibited from the state Executive Mansion and most other government buildings to include court facilities.” (§ 14-269.4)