Area sheriffs release statements after repeal of pistol purchase permit law

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Following a veto override by the North Carolina General Assembly of a bill to repeal pistol purchase permits, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is clarifying how purchases will work.

The bill is effective immediately, meaning that anyone looking to buy or transfer a handgun in NC can do so without applying to the sheriff for a permit.

Per the NHCSO, it won’t be refunding the $5 fee for any permits that were being processed when the law was repealed.

But the bill doesn’t affect concealed handgun permits, which still require an application to the sheriff’s office. Handgun purchases through a firearms dealer will still undergo a background check via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Private handgun transfers do not require a NICS background check.

“The repeal of the State’s pistol purchase permitting laws does not have any impact on our State laws governing the application for and issuance of concealed handgun permits by the Sheriff,” a release from the sheriff’s office states. “Sheriffs will continue to process concealed handgun permit applications in the same manner as before the enactment of Senate Bill 41.”

The sheriffs from Brunswick, Pender, Bladen and Columbus counties also released statements:

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office

All pistol purchase permitting laws in North Carolina have been eliminated by the enactment of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections. We will uphold and enforce the laws of the state of North Carolina as determined by our state’s leaders.

Sheriff Alan Cutler, Pender County Sheriff’s Office

Effective immediately, pistol purchase permits will no longer be issued by any Sheriff in North Carolina. The Pender County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing pistol purchase permit applications including pending applications.

All state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by Sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed on Wednesday morning following a vote by the General Assembly to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections.

This means 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.

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.

It is important to understand that North Carolina concealed handgun laws have NOT changed.

Any person residing in Pender County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the Sheriff.

Sheriff McVicker, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office

Effective immediately, pistol purchase permits will no longer be issued by any sheriff in North Carolina. The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing pistol purchase permit applications including pending applications.

All state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed on Wednesday morning following a vote by the General Assembly to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections.

This means 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.

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.

Sheriff W. A. Rogers, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office

Effective immediately, pistol purchase permits will no longer be issued by any sheriff in North Carolina. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing pistol purchase permit applications including pending applications.

All state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed on Wednesday morning following a vote by the General Assembly to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections.

This means 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.

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.

It is important to understand that North Carolina concealed handgun laws have NOT changed.

Any person residing in Columbus County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.

It is important to understand that North Carolina concealed handgun laws have NOT changed.

Any person residing in Bladen County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.

For Additional Information Contact: Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at 910-862-6990

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