A new state law, G.S. 14-269.2 as amended by HB 193, is changing how nonpublic schools and affiliated places of worship in North Carolina can protect their communities. For the first time, certain employees and volunteers may be authorized to carry a firearm or stun gun on school property—provided they meet strict legal and training requirements.

Under the law, authorization must come in writing from the school’s board of trustees or administrative director. Qualified individuals must hold a valid North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (or one recognized under state law) and complete at least eight hours of annual firearms training from a certified NRA instructor or equivalent—on top of the training required for a concealed carry permit.

The law also requires schools to create written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for armed staff, distribute them to parents annually, and ensure all actions comply with state safety and reporting standards.

For faith-based communities, this presents both opportunity and responsibility—allowing greater control over security while demanding a higher level of professionalism, training, and compliance. At Protecting Faith North Carolina, we help schools and religious institutions meet these requirements through tailored training, SOP development, and leadership guidance.

This is more than compliance—it’s about building a safe, prepared, and resilient environment for worship and learning.

Ready to make your school or place of worship compliant and secure?
Contact Protecting Faith North Carolina today to schedule your compliance training, develop your SOPs, and ensure your team meets all state requirements. Your community’s safety starts with preparation—let’s get started.

North Carolina’s New Law Empowers Faith-Based Schools to Strengthen Security