Public Advisory: Beware of Fraudulent Online Concealed Carry Permits

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning regarding a significant rise in

deceptive online advertisements for concealed carry permits.

A growing number of companies are aggressively targeting North Carolina residents

with "shortcuts" to obtaining a permit. These programs typically claim you can be

certified through a brief online video and a 10-question quiz—with no classroom

instruction, no range time, and no live-fire qualification.

The Scam in Detail:

The Cost: Participants are prompted to pay approximately $200 for a certificate.

The Trap: These certificates are entirely invalid in the state of North Carolina.

The Deception: A disclaimer stating the certificate is "not valid in North Carolina" is

usually buried in tiny print at the bottom of a long paragraph. Many citizens do not see

this until after they have already submitted payment.

Despite this matter being reported to the Department of Justice, these companies have

ramped up their advertising efforts. We want to ensure our community members do not

waste their hard-earned money on a worthless piece of paper.

The Law in North Carolina:

To legally obtain a Concealed Carry permit in North Carolina, state law requires:

✅ An 8-hour, in-person course led by a certified instructor.

✅ A live-fire range qualification involving a minimum of 30 rounds fired at specified

distances.

✅ Physical classroom attendance. There are no legal online-only shortcuts or

exceptions.

Protect Yourself:

Before you pay for any course, verify that the instructor is properly certified. If a deal

seems too fast or too easy to be true, it likely is.

Don't lose $200 to a scam. If you have questions regarding the concealed carry

application process or local certified instructors, please contact our office directl

From the McDowell County Sheriffs Department