Buncombe County Government North Carolina
Buncombe County Government North Carolina

departments & agencies

bureau of id / gun permits

Bureau of Identification
20 Davidson Drive
Asheville, NC 28801

Applications must be submitted to:

City-County Bureau of Identification
(located in the Buncombe County Detention Facility)
20 Davidson Drive  
Asheville, NC  28801
828-250-4661

Pistol Purchase Permits

Applications taken Monday through Friday 8:00am–5:00pm (Closed Holidays)

Criteria to apply for a Pistol Purchase Permit:

  1. An applicant must be a resident of Buncombe County for at least 30 days.
  2. An applicant must be 21 years of age.
  3. Current North Carolina Picture ID (Drivers License or Identification Card).
  4. Be a citizen, a naturalized citizen or resident alien

Applicant may receive up to TEN permits per year -$5.00 fee per permit.

Permit to Purchase a Handgun is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance.

Please allow 7 – 10 business days for processing of applications and criminal background check.

Persons not eligible include anyone:

  1. Under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony
  2. Found guilty in any court for a felony
  3. Who is a fugitive from justice
  4. Who is an unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs;
  5. Discharged from the armed forces for other than honorable reasons
  6. Who has been ruled mentally ill or lacking mental capacity
  7. Ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law
  8. Fully satisfied as to the good moral character of the applicant
  9. Found guilty of a crime or crimes of domestic violence or has an active Restraining Order

Concealed Carry Permits

Applications taken Monday – Thursday (Closed Holidays)
8:00am – 6:00pm

Criteria of Issuance:

  1. An applicant must be a citizen of the US.
  2. An applicant must be a resident of Buncombe County and a resident of NC for 30 days prior to the application being filed.
  3. An applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
  4. An applicant must not suffer from any physical or mental weakness that prevents the safe handling of a handgun.
  5. An applicant must have successfully completed an approved firearms safety and training course.

Please provide the following for initial application process:

  1. Firearm Safety Training Certificate (original certificate)
  2. Valid Driver’s License or ID card (all information on license or ID card must be correct)
  3. $90 fee - cash, certified check or money order (no personal checks) $75 fee for renewals; $15.00 fee for an address change or loss / destruction of permit 
  4. DD214 (if discharged from military)

         
Please allow 45 minutes for the application process and 60 – 90 days for issuance or denial of the requested permit

Persons not eligible include anyone:

  1. Found guilty or received a prayer for judgment continued or suspended sentence for any crimes of violence or misdemeanor assaults as defined by General Statutes
  2. Under indictment or against whom a finding of probable cause exists for a felony
  3. Found guilty in any court for a felony
  4. Receiving a prayer for judgment continued for any criminal offense which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit
  5. Who is a fugitive from justice;
  6. Who is an unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs;
  7. Discharged from the armed forces for other than honorable reasons
  8. Who has been ruled mentally ill or lacking mental capacity
  9. Ineligible to own, possess or receive a firearm under the provisions of state or federal law
  10. Free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal or sentencing for a crime which disqualifies a person from receiving a Concealed Handgun Permit
  11. Convicted of an impaired driving offense within three years prior to application date