Under North Carolina General Statutes, the Sheriff of each county is directed to issue weapon permits to qualifying residents of his county, and to non-residents of the county who are collectors.

There are three kinds of weapon permits: pistol permits, crossbow permits, and machine gun permits.

Applications for permits will be accepted Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, excluding state holidays. All applications must be completed at the Sheriff's Office in the presence of an officer or the Pistol Permit Clerk. Applications may also be obtained at any of the District Offices, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm or by clicking on this link to the Sheriff’s Office website(All applications must be signed in front of Sheriff’s personnel).

Permits will be issued Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, excluding state holidays.

Applicants may get up to five (5) permits. Permits are valid for five years, unless specified otherwise.

There is a five business day waiting period (Monday through Friday, state holidays excluded) between the date of application and the date the permit is issued to allow processing of the application. Permits may be issued in less than five days if the criminal history check is satisfactory. No permit will be issued unless an application and background check have been completed.

An applicant must be at least twenty-one years of age and a legal resident of Guilford County. The applicant must list on the application one of the following reasons for purchasing the weapon:

(a) Protection of the home, business or property;
(b) Target shooting;
(c) Collecting; or
(d) Hunting.
(e) other (specify)

The applicant must present a valid North Carolina driver's license or a North Carolina Special Identification card showing a current address. You may apply for a handgun permit at any of the below locations.