North Carolina § 106-503 - 2. Regulation of firearms at State Fair.

§ 106-503. 2. Regulation of firearms at State Fair.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to prohibit the carrying of firearms in any manner on the State Fairgrounds during the period of time each year that the State Fair is conducted. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, any prohibition under this section shall not apply to the following persons: Any person exempted by G.S. 14-269(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5). Any person who has a concealed handgun permit that is valid under Article 54B of this Chapter [Chapter 14 of the General Statutes], or who is exempt from obtaining a permit pursuant to that Article, who has a handgun in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person's vehicle. A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit the vehicle provided the firearm remains in the closed compartment at all times and the vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit. History (2015-195, s. 4(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2015-195, s. 18, made this section effective August 5, 2015. The bracketed language in subdivision (b)(2) was added at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2015-195, s. 4(b), provides: "The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, shall study the best method to allow persons with concealed handgun permits to carry a concealed handgun on their person from a parking lot to the entrance of the State Fairgrounds, and a secure method of storage for and retrieval of those handguns at or near the entrance. The Department of Agriculture shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety by April 1, 2016, with recommendations, including any necessary legislation."