Yes, in NC a permit from the sheriff of the NC county of residence is required to purchase handgun unless you have a NC Concealed Handgun Permit. But in any case, in all states (Federal law), as a non resident of the state you must have the handgun sent to a FFL in your state of residence, you can't buy one and walk out the door with it.
see ATF site:
A person may only acquire a firearm within the person’s own State, except that he or she may purchase or otherwise acquire a rifle or shotgun, in person, at a licensee’s premises in any State, provided the sale complies with State laws applicable in the State of sale and the State where the purchaser resides.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(b)(3), 27 CFR 478.29 and 478.30]