That is true as far as it goes.
One must obtain a permit from the Sheriff to purchase a pistol. This requires filling out a questionnaire, paying a $10 fee. The Sheriff does a background check with the State NCIS. If approved, you are issued a permit to buy, signed by the Sheriff. You don't have to use it or turn it back unused but it does have an expiration date. It is not specific for any gun, but it can only be used to buy a single handgun whether from a public or private seller. If it is from a private seller, the seller keeps the permit after the sale. If it is an FFL, he keeps the permit with his records.
There is no requirement to either file the permit with the Sheriff or buyer/seller (private sale) to register the firearm or turn in any paperwork afterward. The seller is supposed to keep the permit, indefinitely, to show it was a legitimate sale if he is ever asked.
Alternatively, if one has a CHL license issued it is signed by the Sheriff. The background checks have already been done so one does not need the $10 permit to buy a handgun. The CHL allows him to buy any amount of handguns off a private or FFL seller. The CHL holder must show the private seller his CHL but no paperwork is exchanged. Likewise, there is no record of the transaction except a bill of sale or whatever is exchanged by the buyer and seller.
That's pretty loose. Hardly draconian.
Rifles and shotguns are completely unregulated unless buying/selling through an FFL in which case he does an NCIS check and fills out the standard BATF forms.
Now these fiends want to put every honest citizen in a straighjacket with everything registered. It won't "solve" any problems, but that is not the point. The point is stifling sales and registration, which leads ultimately to either heavy taxation or confiscation.
If one needs a poster child, go admire New York City, Washington DC, or Chicago. It has worked out very well for the criminals and the city governments (but, I repeat myself) but not the honest citizens.
I live in NC...so I know all of that...the fee was $5 for each of my purchase permits.
The questionnaire is often a lot of trouble, depending on the county.
http://www.newhanoversheriff.com/PDF/Purchase%20Permit%20Application.pdf