Movie Theaters and Concealed Carry Permits in North Carolina

In light of the recent tragic mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, be sure to adhere to the North Carolina concealed carry laws.

The law for North Carolina is as follows:

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14‑269.3 provides “[i]It shall be unlawful for any person to carry any gun, rifle, or pistol into any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission. . . .”

"Accordingly, carrying a weapon either openly or concealed into a movie theater where an admission has been charged is illegal", according to Debbie Tanna, the spokesman for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. "Even a concealed carry permit does not authorize the holder of the permit to take a gun into such an assembly."

At least 12 people are reported dead and 50 others are wounded in a shooting that broke out during a midnight showing Thursday of "The Dark Knight Rises" in suburban Denver, according to media reports.

Suspect James Holmes, 24, is in custody, according to Aurora, Colo., police.

Witnesses at the Century 16 movie theater said the gunman, wearing military-type fatigues and gas mask, set off a smoke bomb and then made his way through the theater, gunning people down.

Bullets went through the theater wall, injuring people in the screening next door, as well.

The Huffington Post reported that some 250 police officers responded to the scene and found the suspect near a car at the back of the theater. He was carrying a knife, handgun and rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest.