The following regulations concern the use of firearms in unincorporated Wake County. Before discharging a firearm, residents should become familiar with the following guidelines from the Wake County Firearms Ordinance, Chapter 130, adopted November 9, 2022. These regulations are effective as of Dec. 9, 2022.

The discharge of firearms is prohibited in the following circumstances:

1. It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm on or from the traveled portion of any public street or highway.
2. It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm within 300 yards of any dwelling owned and/or occupied by another unless the person first procures the written permission of the owner or occupant of the dwelling.
3. It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm within 300 yards of any building reasonably likely to be occupied, including, but not limited to, any school, church, warehouse or any playground or park.
4. It is unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm within 300 yards of any domestic livestock belonging to others unless the person first procures the written permission of the owner of the domestic livestock.
5. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm:
   1. In such a way as will, or is likely to, result in the load thereof leaving the property upon which the firearm is lawfully discharged.
   2. Without a backstop that will adequately contain the projectile to the property upon which it was discharged.  The backstop shall be based on specifications promulgated by the National Rifle Association or any equivalent nationally recognized firearms safety organization for the type and caliber of firearms being fired.  At a minimum, the backstop shall be composed of a berm, dike, or other physical barrier that is located behind and beyond the target, that has a minimum thickness of two (2) feet, that extends a minimum of four (4) feet above the target, and that is constructed of a material that will allow the projectile to penetrate the backstop, berm, dike, or other physical barrier but not pass all the way through it.
   3. At any object other than a fixed, stationary target at which the firearm is specifically aimed, directed and fired.
   4. Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Violation of the firearms ordinance

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter of this code of ordinances shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, and each day that any of the provisions of this chapter of this code of ordinances are violated shall constitute a separate offense.

To report a violation of the firearm ordinance, call the Wake County Sheriff’s Office at 919-856-6900.

Granting/Obtaining permission

Discharge of a firearm within 300 yards of any dwelling owned and/or occupied by another is permitted if the person first procures the written permission of the owner or occupant of the dwelling. To obtain permission(s), the following criteria must be met:

1. The written permission shall be dated and shall be valid for no longer than one year after its issuance.
2. The permission must be displayed upon the request of any law enforcement officer with authority to enforce this subchapter.

Download the permission form

How to determine the distance from neighboring dwellings

Residents seeking assistance in determining the distance from neighboring dwellings may contact the Wake County Planning Division at 919-856-6678.