Firearms

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office provides several firearms services as required by State and Federal law. These services include Pistol Purchase Permits, Concealed Handgun Permits, and the disposal of unwanted firearms.

If you know of someone who is illegally in possession of a firearm, or someone that is a convicted felon who carries a firearm, please contact us.

If you have unwanted firearms, you may obtain a court order to have the the Sheriff's Office dispose of these firearms for you.

Information

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
8:30 am – 11:30 am

Fees

Pistol Purchase Permit

$5.00 per permit

Concealed Handgun Permit

New Application - $95.00 (includes notary fee and fingerprinting fee)
Renewal Application - $80.00 (includes notary fee)
Duplicate - $15.00

Method of Payment

Cash, Debit or Credit Cards are accepted
*Processing fees are included on the Debit/Credit Card transactions.

Application Requirements for Pistol Permits

Pistol Purchase Permit applicants may apply online or in person.
Must be able to properly complete application process.
Must be 21 years of age for retail purchase.
Must be at least 18 years of age for private transfers.
Must provide current/valid identification in the form of a State issued Driver’s License or State issued Identification Card.
Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency if born outside the United States.
Must be a resident of Forsyth County for a minimum of 30 days.
Must be of good moral character.
Must pass criminal history background check.
Must be eligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of State and Federal Law. See N.C. Firearm Laws.

Processing Information for Pistol Permits

Please know that due to recent circumstances across our nation, the demand for firearms has substantially increased. This increased demand has affected all Sheriff's Offices in North Carolina. We now have a backlog of applications to process due to this significant increase in volume. Applications are processed in order in which they are received. You will promptly be notified upon approval of your application. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we all deal with this situation.

Pistol Permit applications are processed in the order as they are received. The Sheriff's Office is experiencing a large increase in applications, causing extended process wait times. Letters of denial are sent via email to the email address provided at the time of application. If no email address is provided, a letter will be sent to the address provided on the application. Any individual receiving a denial notification may appeal the denial to the Chief District Court Judge.

Applicant must provide proper identification when permit is picked up.

Applicants will be notified via email when permit(s) are ready for pick up. Letters of denial are sent via email to the email address provided at the time of application. If no email address is provided, a letter will be sent to the address provided on the application. Any individual receiving a denial notification may appeal the denial to the Chief District Court Judge.

General Information for Pistol Permits

Handgun permits are for the purpose of making a purchase, and does not entitle the applicant to carry a concealed weapon.
Once the permit is approved, it will be valid for a period of 5 years.
Handgun Permits are not renewable or replaceable if lost or stolen.
For further assistance or questions, email us at permits@fcso.us.

Application Requirements for Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Weapons Permit applicants must apply in person.
Must be able to properly complete application process.
Must be 21 years of age or older.
Must provide current/valid identification.
Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal residency if born outside the United States.
Must be a resident of Forsyth County for a minimum of 30 days.
Must provide a list of previous addresses for the past 20 years.
Must pass criminal history background check.
Must be eligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of State and Federal Law. See N.C. Firearm Laws.

General Information for Concealed Carry Weapons Permit

Permit applications are taken under oath and notarized. False or fictitious information provided during the application process may cause the applicant to be criminally charged.
Permit is valid for a period of 5 years.
Renewal of existing permit can be submitted up to 90 days before the expiration date. Failure to renew an existing permit prior to the expiration date may result in requiring a new firearms safety certificate.
If a permit is lost or stolen, the applicant must immediately notify the Permits Unit in person and sign an affidavit. A duplicate card will be initiated at the fee listed above.
When a change of address occurs, applicant must notify the Permits Unit in person within thirty days. There is no fee incurred for this process, unless the individual requests a duplicate permit. If a duplicate permit is not obtained, the Change of Address Form must be kept with existing permit at all times.
Fingerprints are submitted to the SBI and FBI for criminal background checks, rejection of fingerprints may result in the denial of an application.
There is no fingerprint requirement on renewals if prints were submitted electronically via AFIS machine after June 30, 2001.
State Law now allows individuals who possess a Carry Concealed Weapon Permit to make handgun purchases without a gun permit (but it is also at the dealer's discretion to require a purchase permit).
For further assistance or questions, contact our office at permits@fcso.us