(a) A deployed military permittee whose permit will expire during the permittee’s deployment, or the permittee’s agent, may apply to the sheriff for an extension of the military permittee’s permit by providing the sheriff with a copy of the permittee’s proof of deployment. Upon receipt of the proof, the sheriff shall extend the permit for a period to end 90 days after the permittee’s deployment is scheduled to end. A permit that has been extended under this section shall be valid throughout the State during the period of its extension.

(b) A military permittee’s permit that is not extended under subsection (a) of this section and that expires during deployment shall remain valid during the deployment and for 90 days after the end of the deployment as if the permit had not expired. The military permittee may carry a concealed handgun during this period provided the permittee meets all the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.11(a).

(c) A military permittee under subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall have 90 days after the end of the permittee’s deployment to renew the permit. In addition to the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.16, the permittee shall provide to the sheriff proof of deployment. The sheriff shall renew the permit upon receipt of this documentation provided the permittee otherwise remains qualified to hold a concealed handgun permit. (2005-232, s. 2.)