North Carolina

Secure Storage
Laws in North Carolina

​​North Carolina has a mixed record on gun laws and has a gun death rate above the national average. It has two foundational gun laws in place, including a child access prevention law, which took effect in North Carolina in 1993.

State Requirements

Secure Storage in North Carolina

Gun owners in North Carolina who reside with minors under age 18 must store guns securely to prevent unauthorized access. Under North Carolina state law, gun owners may be subject to criminal penalties if an unauthorized minor under the age of 18 gains access to their firearm(s). Expand each section below for full requirements and what happens if they aren’t met.

The information provided here is not legal advice and should not be understood as such. Consult with an attorney if you have questions about how your state’s laws apply to your specific circumstances.

Gun owners in North Carolina who reside with minors under age 18 should securely store their firearm(s) in a location where an unsupervised minor could not gain access and in a condition that the firearm cannot be discharged.

Gun owners in North Carolina who live with a child under age 18 may be subject to criminal penalties if:

  • The gun owner stores a firearm in a condition that it can be discharged and in a manner that they know or should know that an unsupervised child under age 18 would be able to gain access to it; and
  • A child under age 18 gains access to the firearm; and
  • The child possesses the firearm unlawfully on school grounds, exhibits it in a public place in a careless, angry, or threatening manner, causes personal injury or death with it, or uses it in the commission of a crime.

By the Numbers

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More than 1,300 children and teens (0–19) die by gun suicide each year — 4 children and teens each day.Everytown Research analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, WONDER Online Database, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death (accessed August 10, 2026). Average: 2021–2025. Ages: 0–19.

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More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year; a significant portion of those are stolen from cars.

Best Practices

Secure Storage for Homes and Vehicles

Gun safety is always an adult’s responsibility, no matter what your state’s laws require — secure storage protects your kids, family, and community from tragedy.

There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best solution is one you will use consistently, every time.

Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.

Remember

Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely

Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.

Locked Up

With keys or codes kept private

Unloaded

Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun

Separate from ammunition

Store ammunition in a different place from guns

Download

North Carolina Secure Gun Storage Sheet

Download information about secure gun storage in North Carolina in English or Spanish.