Home Departments Sheriff Firearm Purchase & Concealed Weapons Permits

Firearm Purchase & Concealed Weapons Permits

Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Except Holidays)

Firearm Purchase Permits
There is no appointment necessary to apply for a Firearm Purchase Permit.

We offer an online Firearm Purchase Permit application process. Through this website, you may apply for a Firearm Purchase Permit online. The Release of Court Orders Concerning Mental Health & Capacity for Pistol Purchase Permit "Release" form must be filled out within 5 business days, notarized and brought to the Sheriff's Office before an application can be fully processed.
**In the event you fail to bring in the "Release Form" within 5 business days, your application will expire and you will need to re-apply.
Please fill out each blank on the online application as your drivers license reads, please do not use nick names or any abbreviation.
*There are notaries available at the Sheriff's Office that can help you at no charge. Please wait to sign this form until you get in front of a notary at the Sheriff's Office.

Below are links to all (4 pages) printable documents to apply for a Firearm Purchase Permit, please bring in all the highlighted pages below as well as valid North Carolina identification to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office:

Firearm Purchase Permit Application
Please use name listed on driver's license, not nick names or any abbrevation, etc.
Firearm Purchase Permit Release of Court Orders Concerning Mental Health & Capacity for Pistol Purchase Permit. Click here for the form Mental Health Release Form-this form must be returned to the Sheriff's Office within 5 business days
Firearm Purchase Permit Supplemental Questions (** For legal resident aliens, there are supplemental questions that must also be answered) Also proof of citizenship is required.
Attachments (aliases, addresses, exemption) Form

**In the event you fail to sign the "Release Form" within 5 business days, your application will expire and you will need to re-apply.

Concealed Weapons Permits
To qualify for a concealed handgun permit you must first complete a Concealed Handgun Permit class. After completion of this class you may apply for the permit here: https://rutherfordso.permitium.com/ccw/start

For additional help or questions with this process, call : 828-287-1206.
An appointment is necessary when applying for a NEW Concealed Weapon Permit,
contact Det. Shane Ruppe at: 828-287-1206

**As much as our office attempts to get all Concealed Weapon Permits back quickly, generally there is a 90 -working day time period or less to process and get New and/or Renewal Concealed Weapon Permits back.
Please plan accordingly when renewal date is approaching.

New Permits - New Concealed Handgun Application Packet-New Concealed Application Packet
Renewal Permits - Renewal Concealed Handgun Application Packet-Renewal Application Packet
Please Note: There is no longer an appointment required for renewing a Concealed Weapon Permit
A Change of address form is required for anyone holding a Concealed Weapon Permit in Rutherford County, NC and moves within Rutherford County, NC or moves out of the county, this form along with a copy of the permit and a valid NC drivers license should be returned to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to process the change and/or request a duplicate permit.
There is a $5.00 (CASH)charge to obtain a duplicate permit.

These Firearm Instructors are in the Rutherford County area and can assist you if you would like to take the Concealed Handgun Permit class.

NC Firearm Laws

Fingerprinting is done on a first come first serve basis on Tuesday and Thursday 1p.m.-3p.m., all Rutherford County residents will be fingerprinted at no charge, out of county residents will pay $10 cash.