Individuals who may one day want a concealed handgun permit should note seriously some recent amendments to state law.

Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 562 into law Aug. 5, making several changes to North Carolina’s firearms laws, including changes in the way sheriffs evaluate and process pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits.

John Maxfield, legal advisor to Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison, has summarized the changes, and below is the section dealing with permanent disqualification from obtaining a concealed handgun permit.

Effective July 1, 2015, for all concealed handgun permit applications submitted on or after that date, an applicant is permanently disqualified from receiving a concealed handgun permit if the applicant is or has been found guilty of or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for the following misdemeanor crimes:

(a) Misdemeanor crimes that involve violence;

(b) Assault inflicting serious injury or using a deadly weapon;

(c) Assault on a female;

(d) Assault a child under the age of 12;

(e) Assault inflicting serious injury or using a deadly weapon on a

person in a personal relationship and in the presence of a minor;

(f) Stalking;

(g) Child abuse;

(h) Domestic criminal trespass;

(i) Domestic violence protective order violations;

(j) Any person convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” as defined in federal law at 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8); and

(k) Any crimes involving an assault or a threat to assault a law enforcement officer, probation or parole officer, person employed at a State or local detention facility, firefighter, emergency medical technician, medical responder, or emergency department personnel.