North Carolina law modified to allow carrying a handgun while wearing a mask

Under normal circumstances, it is against the law to carry a gun while wearing a mask. However, that law is being suspended until February 2021.

The Nash County sheriff’s office has been getting many calls lately from people wondering what the rules are.

According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, if you have a valid concealed carry handgun permit, it is legal to carry a concealed handgun while wearing a mask, so long as you’re wearing the mask to protect yourself or others from COVID-19.

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media that it will not be enforcing face coverings.

“I’ve got much more to worry about,” Nash County sheriff Keith Stone said. “We obviously want people to social distance. If you want to wear a mask that is absolutely fine.”

While we were at the sheriff’s office, Greg, who doesn’t want his last name used, stopped by to get his permit to purchase firearms.

“I like staying protected, also protecting my home and my family,” Greg, said.

He says the pandemic should not get in the way of his second amendment rights.

“I feel like it’s just like wearing this mask,” he said. “You want to keep yourself safe and you want to keep your home and your family safe.”

Stone says his only concern is the safety of residents in Nash County.

“We’re not out patrolling looking for people with masks on,” Stone said. “What we’re doing is the same thing we did before this epidemic, is fight gangs, guns and drugs.”

If you’re wearing a mask and legally carrying a gun, you must remove the mask when asked to do so by law enforcement during a traffic stop, license checkpoint or any time an officer asks you to do it.