North Carolina

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North Carolina

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to North Carolina. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial period through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, militia and frontier records, coastal and naval stores archives, manufacturing and law-enforcement collections, and oral histories tied to North Carolina people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 94

1866 N.C. Sess. Laws Priv. Sess. 63
(1856)
Imposed a $50 tax on all weapons.
1782 N.C. Sess. Laws 413-14
(1782)
Created a draft for the Continental Army. Subject to the draft were "all the inhabitants ... between the ages of sixteen and fifty." To prevent the widespread community practice of filling draft ranks with the most vulnerable and least motivated, the act specified that "no British or Hessian deserter who hath not been a resident of this State twelve months, or orphan or apprentice under eighteen years of age, Indian, sailor or negro slave, shall be received as a substitute for any class volunteer or draft whatever."
1792 N.C. Sess. Laws 33-34
(1792)
The minimum age remained 18, while the maximum dropped to 45. The mandatory arms paralleled the federal statute. Each infantryman was required to "provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than 24 cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball ; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder-horn, 20 balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder."
1777 N.C. Sess. Laws 1
(1777)
The Militia of every County shall consist of all the effective men from sixteen to fifty years of age.
1760 N.C. Sess. Laws 518
(1760)
"[T]hat all Freemen and Servants within this Province, between the Age of Sixteen and Sixty ... there be mustered, trained, and exercised in Arms, and be provided with a well-fixed Gun, shall forfeit and Pay, if at a private Muster, Six Shillings, if at a general Muster Ten Shillings; and shall also be provided with a Cartouch-Box, a Sword, Cutlass or Hanger, and have at least Nine charges of Powder (made into Cartridges) and sizeable Bullets or Swan Shot, and Three spare-flints, a Worm, a Picker..."
1715 N.C. Sess. Laws 29
(1715)
The Militia of this Government shall consist of all the Freemen within the same between the years of Sixteen years & Sixty. This included free blacks. Each militiaman had to provide himself with "a good Gun well-fixed Sword & at least Six Charges of Powder & Ball."
1746 N.C. Sess. Laws 244
(1746)
Mandated that each militiaman appear with "a Gun, fit for service, a Cartouch Box, and a Sword, Cutlass, or Hanger [a type of sword], and at least Twelve Charges of Powder and Bail, or Swan Shot, and Six Spare Flints
1715 N.C. Sess. Laws 30
(1715)
"And Be It Further Enacted by the Authority afors'd that all such persons who by this Act are exempt from Enlisting themselves or appearing at Muster as afors'd shall be ready at any time of danger to wait & attend the commands of the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being completely provided with Arms & Ammunition on Penalty of Ten Pounds for such neglect to be levied by Warrant from the Governor or Commander in Chief as before in this Act is appointed for other times."
23 W. Clark, State Records of North Carolina 63 (1904)
(1715)
Ch. 46, An Act Concerning Servants & Slaves: Directed "that every Christian Servant shall be allowed by their Master or Mistress at the expitation of his or her time of srvice Three Barrells of Indyan Corn & two new Suits of Apparrel of the Value of Five ounds at leasr or in liey of one suit of Apparrel a good well-fixed Gun, if he bwe a Manservant."
1787 N.C. Sess. Laws 813-14
(1787)
The militia law kept the militia as "all freemen and indented servants within this State, from eighteen to fifty years of age." The required arms and equipment were now more specific and varied by role in the militia. For commissioned officers in the infantry, "side arms" (handguns) "or a spontoon" (a pole arm). For private and non-commissioned officers, a musket or rifle, plus a cartridge box, powder horn, shot pouch "in good condition," "nine charges of powder made into cartridges with sizeable balls or swan-shot," a spare flint, and one worm and picker. As for artillerymen, they "shall be armed and accoutred with small arms in the same manner of the infantry, except the non-commissioned officers, who shall have swords instead of fire-arms." Horsemen, whether officers or privates, needed "a strong, serviceable horse, at least fourteen hands high, with a good saddle, bridle, holsters, one pistol, horseman's sword and cap, a pair of shoe boots and spurs," plus "a proper cartouch-box and cartridges all in good order."
1785 N.C. Sess. Laws 710-11
(1785)
Raised the minimum militia age to 18. Militiamen included "all freemen and indented servants" (but not servants for life, a/k/a slaves). Militiamen had to arm themselves with "a well fixed gun and cartouch-box, with nine charges of powder made into cartridges and sizeable bullets or swan-shot, and one spare flint, worm and picker.
1792 N.C. Sess. Laws 33
(1792)
The minimum age remained 18, while the maximum dropped to 45. The mandatory arms paralleled the federal statute. Each infantryman was required to "provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than 24 cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball ; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder-horn, 20 balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder."
America's Founding Charters: Primary Documents of Colonial and Revolutionary Era Governance 232 (Jon L. Wakelyn ed. 2006) (Concessions and Agreements, Jan. 11, 1664)
(1664)
All inhabitants and freemen of Carolina above seventeen years of age and under sixty shall be bound to bear arms and serve as soldiers whenever the grand council shall find it necessary."
1760 N.C. Sess. Laws 521
(1760)
Every trooper (horseman) needed "Holsters, Housing, Breast-Plate and Crupper, a Case of good Pistols, a good Broad Sword, Twelve Charges of Powder, Twelve sizeable Bullets, a Pair of Shoe-Boots, with suitable Spurs, and a Carbine well fixed, with a good Belt, Swivel and Bucket."
1770 N.C. Sess. Laws 787-88
(1770)
Eliminated a conscientious objector exemption and ordered "all Male Persons of the people called Quakers, between the age of Sixteen and Sixty" to enlist in the militia. Additionally, the act provided that "the Father or where there is no Father living, the Mother of each and every Person under the age of Twenty One Years, shall be liable to the Payment of the Fines becoming due from their respective sons so under age."
1779 N.C. Sess. Laws 191-2
(1779)
[E]ach Militia Soldier [had to] be furnished with a Good Gun, Shot bag a Cartouch Box or powder Horn, a Cutlass or Tomahawk.
1777 N.C. Sess. Laws 1
(1777)
The Militia of every County shall consist of all the effective men from sixteen to fifty years of age.
Acts of the General Assembly and Ordinances of the Trustees for the Organization and Government of the University of North Carolina 16 (1838)
(1838)
Ch. 5, §§ 20-24: Every Student who shall send to any person a challenge or message, either in writing or otherwise, purporting to be a challenge to fight a duel, shall be expelled.
1901 N.C. Sess. Laws 160
(1901)
Pub. Laws, ch. 23, §§ 1, 2: That it shall be unlawful for any person wantonly, or in sport to shoot or discharge any gun or pistol in, or within two hundred yards or any street in, or any public road leading out of the town of Roper, in the county of Washington, for a distance of one-half mile form the place where the post-office in said town was located on the first day of January, 1901.
Acts of the General Assembly and Ordinances of the Trustees for the Organization and Government of the University of North Carolina 15 (1838)
(1838)
Ch. 5, § 13: Prohibited students from keeping any firearms or gunpowder at the college. Prohibited keeping, carrying, or owning any sword, dirk, sword-cane, or other deadly weapon. Prohibited use of firearms without the permission of the college president.
1860-61 N.C. Sess. Laws 219-20
(1860)
Priv. Laws, ch. 180, § 1: Granted the town of Wilmington the authority to levy and collect taxes annually on all pistols, dirks, Bowie-knives, or sword-canes if worn about the person at any time during the year, as well as all pistol galleries.
1905 N.C. Sess. Laws 547
(1905)
Priv. Laws, ch. 188, § 6: That the commissioners of said town shall have authority to pass all necessary by-laws and ordinances for the proper government of the town, and to enforce the same by means of suitable fines and penalties. Among the powers specifically conferred upon the commissioners are the following: . . . to prescribe conditions under which may be sold and used fire-arms of all kinds including toy guns and pistols and air-guns, brass knuckles, loaded canes, dirks, bowie and other knives used as weapons, ammunition and fire-works, not inconsistent with the general laws of the State[.]
1909 N.C. Sess. Laws 777-78
(1909)
Priv. Laws, ch. 345, § 23, pt. 14: [O]n dealers in pistols, guns, dirks, bowie knives, sling shots, brass or metal knuckles or other like deadly weapons, in addition to all other taxes, a license tax not exceeding fifty dollars; on dealers in firecrackers, Roman candles, skyrockets, toy pistols or fireworks of any kind, a tax not exceeding fifty dollars.
Laws for the Government of the City of Raleigh 63 (1854)
(1854)
§ 6: No person shall discharge any gun or other fire-arms within any of the streets or public squares of the city, or upon any lot of the same, (excepting his own lot,) on pain of forfeiting four dollars for every such offence. Or, if the offence be committed in the night, the offender shall forfeit twenty-five dollars
1871-1872 N.C. Sess. Laws 113
(1871)
Priv. Laws, ch. 72, § 4: That any person who shall willfully . . . shoot or discharge any gun or other firearms within the limits thereof shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction before any justice of the peace of the county of Pasquotank, shall be fined at the discretion of the court and be moreover liable to the company for the damage done by such act.
Regulations and Ordinances, Together with a Statement of the Various Acts, Ordinances and Resolutions Concerning the Town of Salem, N.C., from 1856 to 1896, at 5 (1896)
(1896)
§ 7: No person shall fire a gun or pistol for the purpose of sport or amusement, nor shoot or discharge any sling shot, or other projectile unless by written consent of the Mayor. Fine Ten Dollars for Each offense]
1862-1863 N.C. Sess. Laws 60
(1862)
Priv. Laws, Adj. Sess., ch. 49, § 9: [T]hey may prohibit and prevent by practices the riding or driving of horses or other animals at a speed greater than six miles an hour, within the city; and also the firing of guns, pistols, crackers, gun powder or other explosive, combustible or dangerous materials in the streets, public grounds, or elsewhere within the city.
1868-69 N.C. Sess. Laws 202
(1868)
Priv. Laws, ch. 123, § 18: Granted the Board the power to levy and collect taxes on all pistols, except when part of stock in trade. Also on all dirks, Bowie-knives, and sword-canes if worn on the person at any time during the year. Tax not to exceed one dollar.
1865-66 N.C. Sess. Laws 22
(1866)
Priv. Laws, ch. 7, § 64: That they may prohibit and prevent, by penalties, . . . and also the firing of guns, pistols, crackers, gun-powder or other explosive, combustible or dangerous materials in the streets, public grounds, or elsewhere within the city."
1925 N.C. Sess. Laws 530
(1925)
Pub.-Local Laws, ch. 460, § 4: It shall be unlawful to trap for bear or to run or hunt deer with dogs or to use while hunting any gun having a "Maxim silencer" or any other device thereon that will muffle the report of such gun, nor shall any gun be used that does not produce when discharged the usual and ordinary report.
1903 N.C. Sess. Laws 154
(1903)
Pub. Laws, ch. 136, § 3: And it shall be unlawful for any persons or persons, either before or after they have put out decoys in the waters of Currituck Sound, to sail or row or propel a boat in any way after wild fowls in the waters of said sound for the purpose of forcing them on the wing or to shoot them with rifle or shot gun from any boat while sailing at any time.
1885 N.C. Sess. Laws 382
(1885)
Pub. Laws, ch. 207, §§ 1-2: That nothing in section two thousand eight hundred and thirty-four of The Code shall be so construed as to prevent the farmers in Pamlico county from shooting larks, doves and partridges on their own premises, when the same are doing injury to their crops.
1885 N.C. Sess. Laws 1010
(1885)
Priv. Laws, ch. 103, § 6: That it shall be a misdemeanor for any one to fire off a gun or pistol in the limits of the incorporation while occupied in worship
1901 N.C. Sess. Laws 338-39
(1901)
Priv. Laws, ch. 124, § 14.: That among the powers conferred upon the Commissioners are the following: . . . to control the manner in which dynamite, blasting powder, gunpowder and other explosives and highly inflammable and dangerous substances may be stored and sold[.]
1891 N.C. Sess. Laws 775
(1891)
Ch. 52, § 27.: That they may prohibit the firing of any gun, pistol, fire-cracker, gunpowder, other materials or other dangerous combustibles in the streets, public grounds or elsewhere in said town.
1917 N.C. Sess. Laws 309
(1917)
Pub.-Local Laws, ch. 209, § 1: Prohibited killing quail with a gun that shoots over two times before reloading.
1868-69 N.C. Sess. Laws 96, 101-102
(1869)
Priv. Laws, ch. 79, § 25: The commissioners may prevent by penalties the firing of guns, pistols, crackers, gunpowder or other explosive materials in the streets or corporate limits.
1879 N.C. Sess. Laws 360
(1879)
Ch. 204, §§ 1-6: It shall be unlawful to take any fish of the kind known as perch or bream by shooting or netting in the day time or in any manner by fire light from any of said streams between the first day of May and the fifteenth day of August in each year.
1911 N.C. Sess. Laws 736
(1911)
Priv. Laws, ch. 293, § 4: That it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to use loud, profane or indecent language, fire off a gun or pistol in hearing distance of those assembled for or engaged in divine worship, or otherwise disturb and annoy those assembled for or engaged in divine worship, and any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not exceeding thirty days.
1905 N.C. Sess. Laws 488
(1905)
Priv. Laws, ch. 174, § 60: That the board of commissioners of said town shall have power to pass ordinances for the protection of the persons and property of the citizens of the same, and to that end may pass an ordinance making it unlawful to discharge any gun, pistol, or other fire-arm within the corporate limits of the said town or within one-fourth of a mile from the corporate limits of the same, as set out in section two of this act, and any person found guilty of violating the provisions of this section may be punished in the same manner as if the offense had been committed within the corporate limits as aforesaid.

North Carolina

North Carolina

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