Handing Over A Firearm
G.S. 14-315 — transferring a handgun to a minor is a Class H felony
A handgun to a minor. A person who sells, offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers a handgun to a minor is guilty of a Class H felony, and forfeits the proceeds of any sale.
Other weapons. Transferring a pistol cartridge, brass knucks, a bowie knife, a dirk, or the other weapons the section names to a minor is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- A handgun lent to a minor for temporary use, where the minor's possession is lawful.
- A handgun transferred to an adult custodian for the minor, who may allow temporary lawful possession.
- A handgun left to the minor by will and distributed to a parent or guardian.
Those are among the circumstances the section excepts.
Federal law adds its own rules on transfers, including to people who live in another state, which are not on this page. Whether a particular sale, loan or gift is lawful is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 14-315 — Selling or giving weapons to minors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.