I saw the crossbow section in the following from GRNC:
From GRNC:
The Brady law recognizes certain alternatives to the NICS checks. Since North Carolina handgun purchase permits qualify as an alternative to a NICS check, a firearms dealer may conclude a sale of a handgun or long gun without a NICS check, if the purchaser delivers a valid pistol purchase permit to the dealer.
NOTE: North Carolina law allows for the purchase of a single handgun with a single valid purchase permit. Multiple long guns may be purchased with a single pistol purchase permit, however they must be purchased in a single transaction.
It is the opinion of the United States Department of Justice that a valid North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit may be used as an alternative to a NICS check for the purchase of Long Guns only. Again multiple long guns may be purchased if they are purchased in a single transaction.
If a transfer is made of a firearm by a licensed dealer to a person pursuant to the permit alternative, the purchaser must first complete and sign the BATF Form 4473. As usual the dealer will verify the identity of the purchaser by a photo identification. The permit must be valid and issued within the preceding five years. If a pistol purchase permit is used, the dealer will retain the original permit for the transaction. If a concealed handgun permit is used to buy a long gun, the dealer will either make a copy of the permit and attach it to the Form 4473 or record the permit number, issuance date and expiration date on the form.
Transfers of firearms to law enforcement officials for their official use are exempt from the provisions of the Brady Law when the transaction complies with the conditions set forth in the federal regulations at 27 CFR 178.134. In general, the purchaser must provide a certification on agency letterhead, signed by a person in authority within the agency (other than the officer purchasing the firearm), stating that the officer will use the firearm in official duties, and that a records check reveals that the purchasing officer has no convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. If these conditions are met, the purchasing officer is not required to complete a Form 4473 or undergo a NICS check. However, the licensee must record the transaction in his or her permanent records, and retain a copy of the certification letter.
B. North Carolina Requirements - (back to top) -
As previously stated, effective December 1, 1995, North Carolina's pistol permitting laws qualify as an alternative to the requirements of the Brady law. Therefore, when a person desires to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer the person need comply solely with North Carolina's pistol permit laws and present a valid permit to purchase a handgun. As always, any other transfer between private individuals is also governed by North Carolina's Pistol permit laws.
Under North Carolina law, it is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, give away, transfer, purchase, or receive, at any place in the State any pistol unless the purchaser or receiver has first obtained a license or permit to receive such a pistol by the Sheriff of the county where the purchaser or receiver resides. This requirement to obtain a permit prior to the transfer of a pistol applies not only to a commercial transaction, typically at a sporting goods store, but also between private individuals or companies throughout North Carolina.
In addition, this State law has been interpreted to require that a pistol permit be obtained by the receiver of a handgun when such person inherits a pistol as a result of the death of another person. The permit should be given to and retained by the seller or donor of the handgun. In such a case, the permit should be given to the executor or receiver of the estate of the deceased person.
Further, it is unlawful for any person to receive from any postmaster, postal clerk, employee in the parcel post department, rural mail carrier, express agent or employee, or railroad agent or employee, within the State of North Carolina, any pistol without having in his or her possession such a pistol permit.
A violation of this pistol permit law is a Class 2 misdemeanor under North Carolina law. Specifically exempted from the provisions of this permit requirement are the transfer of antique firearms or historic edged weapons. An "antique firearm" is one that was manufactured on or before 1898, or a replica thereof. A "historic edged weapon" is defined to be a bayonet, trench knife, sword, or dagger manufactured during or prior to World War II but no later than January 1, 1946. The requirement of obtaining a permit prior to the receipt of a handgun, does not apply to the purchase and receipt of "long guns", such as shotguns and rifles. The fee for pistol permits is set by statute and is $5.00 per permit.
The permit requirements set out for the purchase or receipt of handguns in North Carolina, also applies to the purchase, receipt, selling, giving away, or transfer of any crossbow. Therefore, prior to a person receiving a crossbow, the Sheriff must issue a permit in the same manner as if the individual was receiving a pistol. A crossbow is defined as a mechanical device consisting of, but not limited to, strings, cables, and prods transversely mounted on either a shoulder or hand-held stock. This device is mechanically held at full or partial draw and released by a trigger or similar mechanism which is incorporated into a stock or handle. When operated, the crossbow discharges a projectile known as a bolt. A bolt is defined as a projectile made to be discharged from a crossbow and differs from an arrow in that the bolt is heavier and shorter.