Is a Wisconsin Non-Resident Permit Valid in North Carolina?

Why

• Wisconsin does not issue carry permits to non-residents (issued only to wisconsin residents (valid wi driver's license or id required) or active-duty military stationed in wisconsin (wi doj ccw faq)).

NC DOJ: 'Effective December 1, 2011, North Carolina automatically recognizes concealed carry permits issued in any other state' (G.S. 14-415.24(a)); no residency condition — out-of-state permittees are held to the same standards as NC permittees.

Carry rules in North Carolina

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside North Carolina, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• North Carolina imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. When approached or addressed by any officer, the permittee must disclose that they hold a valid concealed handgun permit and are carrying a concealed handgun, and must display permit and ID on request (G.S. 14-415.11; NC DOJ 'Do's and Don'ts').
• North Carolina sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• North Carolina is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit North Carolina recognizes.
• A valid permit (NC or out-of-state) allows a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle; without a permit, concealing a handgun in a vehicle within the carrier's reach is unlawful (G.S. 14-269) — on a traffic stop, keep hands on the wheel and announce the handgun and permit.

Off-limits places in North Carolina

• Educational property (schools, colleges); permittees may secure a handgun in a locked vehicle
• State and federal courthouses and certain State property (G.S. 14-269.4)
• Law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities
• Picket lines, demonstrations and assemblies on public property
• Buildings housing only State or federal offices
• Any premises posted against concealed carry

Frequently asked questions

Is a Wisconsin non-resident permit valid in North Carolina?

None issued, so none recognized. Wisconsin keeps its permits resident-only (issued only to Wisconsin residents (valid WI driver's license or ID required) or active-duty military stationed in Wisconsin (WI DOJ CCW FAQ)). Your route to carrying in North Carolina runs through a permit you are eligible to obtain elsewhere.

Do I have to tell police in North Carolina that I am carrying?

North Carolina imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. When approached or addressed by any officer, the permittee must disclose that they hold a valid concealed handgun permit and are carrying a concealed handgun, and must display permit and ID on request (G.S. 14-415.11; NC DOJ 'Do's and Don'ts').

Does North Carolina limit magazine capacity?

North Carolina sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Does Wisconsin issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Wisconsin issues carry permits to residents only (issued only to Wisconsin residents (valid WI driver's license or ID required) or active-duty military stationed in Wisconsin (WI DOJ CCW FAQ)). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.