The link below will take you to a PDF file compiled by the NC Attorney General. It describes all the firearms laws that are relevant to North Carolina, both NC and federal.
"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, or the purchaser or receiver possesses a valid North Carolina-issued concealed carry permit. 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."
So you have to have a purchase permit to buy from an individual, unless you have a concealed carry permit. Of course, there's no way that the state can enforce the requirement that you get a purchase permit if an individual is willing to sell to you, but a person would have to be nuts to sell a handgun to somebody if the buyer doesn't have a permit.
I don't know now, but when I lived in NC the sheriffs had a great deal of discretion in issuing purchase permits. I went to get a purchase permit and was told they would have to run a background check on me, not only in NC but in the previous state I lived. This would take several days and I would have to pay for the check. I said that I thought this was ridiculous, given that at the time I held a DOD security clearance. I was asked if I knew anybody in the sheriff's department. I said "sure", I know deputy so-and-so. The sheriff gave the deputy a call and and then said, "no problem, the clerk will issue you a permit". No background check.
There are a number of reasons to get a concealed carry permit, even if you don't intend to carry a pistol. You're pretty much guaranteed that you won't be bothered if, for example, a police search of your vehicle turns up a gun. On the other hand, the penalties for violating the terms of a concealed carry permit (for example, drinking while carrying) are severe in most states.
As far as moving to another state, the requirements for bringing a gun into another state vary from state-to-state. Most states allow you to bring your guns with you when you move, but may require you to buy permits when you do.
Most states with concealed carry permits have reciprocal agreements with other states. So if you have a carry permit in your home state, you are legal to carry (or, more importantly, have a gun in your vehicle) in other CCW states.
North Carolina firearms laws.
