On July 29, 2013 Governor McCrory signed into law House Bill 937, “An Act to Amend State Firearms Laws.” Among other changes, HB 937 (N.C. Session Law 2013-369), greatly expands the range of places where a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holder is allowed to carry a firearm.

Franchisors, property owners, and business owners should be aware that, as of October 1, 2013, it will be lawful for CHP holders to carry a concealed firearm into businesses that serve alcohol as well as assemblies where a fee is charged for admission. In addition, CHP holders will no longer be legally prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm during a parade or funeral.  However, any property owner or business owner may prohibit firearms from being carried on their property by posting a conspicuous notice on the premises.

The new law also permits CHP holders to carry firearms on certain public property, including locally controlled parks and greenways, as well as any educational property (as long as the weapon remains in a locked vehicle). According to North Carolina General Statute 14-269.2 an educational property is defined as “any school building or bus, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or other property owned, used or operated by any board of education or school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of the school.” A school is defined as a “public or private school, community college or university.”

Finally, the new law also makes a number of other changes to the permitting process: it streamlines the permit issuing process, establishes a revocation requirement for individuals issued a permit who later become prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm, expands and clarifies when information is transmitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, clarifies that permit-holders’ information may only be made available to law enforcement agencies, and removes a prohibition on using firearms with sound suppressing devices while otherwise lawfully hunting game.