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Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW

By Bill Powers, NBTA Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer – NC Defense Attorney

Weapons charges throughout the United States, including North Carolina courts, receive heightened interest, and to some extent, scrutiny. Irrespective of the nature or type of weapon at issue, be it a gun, knife, or other deadly weapon, Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW is a serious criminal charge.

While some may think we have become a less kind society in recent years, the truth is, the United States has always embodied a certain level of violence and obsession with deadly weapons of all sorts. Indeed, in 1804, Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, co-author of the Federalist Papers, and trusted confidant of President George Washington, was killed in a duel.

The third Vice President of the United States, serving during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson, lost his life in a voluntary duel (like his son) on the edge of the Hudson River in New Jersey. As a matter of honor, a challenge by duel was issued by Aaron Burr due to perceived insults issued by Hamilton in letters, correspondence, and public commentary in the then-existing media. As with many duels of the time, there were carefully prescribed rules of engagement.

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A certain level of precision was afforded to duels of honor, the primary aspects of which reflected a sense of advance warning, fair play, and openness in the manner of shooting at one another. Indeed, great care and attention was given to ensure fairness, hopefully to avoid both foul play and an unfair advantage of one combatant over another.

That concept of an “unfair advantage” in a fight, whether it be by formalized duel or other confrontation, remains to this day in the NC criminal laws and criminal charges for carrying concealed weapon CCW in North Carolina. Experienced defense lawyers may refer to such matters simply as “CCW” or some other iteration of CCW followed by the type of weapon, such as:

CCW Gun or Pistol
CCW Handgun
CCW Knife
CCW Brass Knuckles

The NC criminal laws that address such cases are set forth in Chapter 14 – Criminal Law, Article 35 “Offenses Against the Public Peace” and N.C.G.S. § 14-269 “Carrying concealed weapons.”

While not difficult to understand that carrying concealed weapons may include things like guns, pistols, and knives, what is remarkable about Chapter 14-269 is the length to which the NC General Assembly describes weapons subject to prohibition. Indeed, many if not most people likely have no idea what some items are proscribed weapons, such as:

Loaded Cane (Walking Stick Designed for Fighting or Hidden Weapon)
Dirk (Long Thrusting Dagger)
Shuriken (Hidden Japanese Throwing Star)
Slung Shot (Even we don’t know what this weapon is, perhaps a type of “Sling Shot”)

One might venture a guess as to what a “Bowie Knife,” stun gun, razor, or metallic knuckle may be when it comes to Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW charges in North Carolina. The NC criminal laws do not absolutely ban carrying concealed weapons but do impose some limitations on the circumstances of when and where carrying concealed weapons CCW is legal and not legal.

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Furthermore, there are some types of weapons charges in North Carolina that prohibit possession of the weapon itself, whether or not it is concealed on the person facing allegations of criminal charges. There is another item, that likely could be deemed a deadly weapo n, that is not be subject to the carrying concealed weapon CCW statute, namely, an “ordinary pocket knife.”

Is Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW in North Carolina a Felony or Misdemeanor Charge?

Weapons charges in North Carolina can be both misdemeanor or felony charges. A first offense of the NC Carrying Concealed Weapons CCW statute, N.C.G.S. 14-269(a), is a Class 2 Misdemeanor. A second and any subsequent violation of the CCW NC criminal laws is a Felony Class H criminal offense.

Who Decides What Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW Is in North Carolina? How Is NC Carrying Concealed Weapons CCW Proved in Court?

To make out a prima facie case for Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW Gun in North Carolina, the state of North Carolina (the Prosecutor in NC / Assistant District Attorney) must prove each and every element Beyond a Reasonable Doubt:

Willful and intentional
Carry (Carries)
About her or his person
Concealed
Pistol OR Gun
NOT on her or his own premises
AND if a handgun, the Defendant does not possess a lawfully issued CCW handgun permit
OR is not carrying the handgun according to a valid CCW concealed handgun permit
AND if a handgun, the Defendant may not conceal carry the handgun as permitted as a military permittee

What Does Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW in North Carolina Mean? What Is “Concealed?”

The NC criminal laws make it illegal, unless authorized by permit or some other exception of the NC Concealed Carry Laws, to carry “about his person” concealed weapons. That does not necessarily require the weapon be on the physical person (or body) of the person facing accusations of criminal charges.

“About the person” is intended to include places near or close-by the Defendant, where the accused may have ready access to the weapon at issue. Generally speaking, the CCW laws include concealed weapons that are within the control or reach of the accused. Defense lawyers may occasionally refer to that as the “lunge area” of the Defendant.

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Prohibited Weapons in North Carolina

While certain weapons may be lawful to carry either via “open carry” or the NC concealed carry laws in certain limited circumstances, there are types and categories of weapons in North Carolina that may not be possessed by the general public at any time, or for any purpose, including but not limited to:

Automatic Weapons
Ballistic Knives
Spring-Loaded Projective Knives
Silencer
Muffler of Firearm
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Grenades or Bombs
Mines
Chemical Weapons
Explosive Projectiles
Sawed-Off Shotgun
Machine Guns
Rockets with more than 4 oz of propellant

NOW IS THE TIME TO RETAIN LEGAL COUNSEL if you are charged with violations of the NC Criminal Laws and Carrying Concealed Weapon CCW in North Carolina.

You may reach Bill Powers directly via email at: Bill@342HELP.COM

Our Criminal Defense Lawyers NC offer a confidential case evaluation. CALL NOW: 704-342-4357

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