Omar Bennett
On March 20, 2025, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill allowing gun owners to carry handguns without a permit. The bill, Senate Bill 50, or the Freedom to Carry NC, would make North Carolina the 30th state to legalize constitutional carry, meaning that gun owners can carry their weapons in a concealed manner without obtaining a permit. The bill passed with a vote of 26-18, with all Democrats voting against it. It now heads to the House for consideration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bill Name | Senate Bill 50, "Freedom to Carry NC" |
| Bill Status | Passed the Senate, now in the House for consideration |
| Bill Sponsors | Sens. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), Warren Daniel (R-Buncombe, Burke, McDowell), and Eddie Settle (R-Alexander, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin) |
| Co-sponsors | President pro tempore Phil Berger |
| Previous Status | Stalled in the Senate in previous years |
| Previous Attempts | House Bill 189 in 2023 |
| Current NC Law | Gun owners must obtain a permit from their local sheriff's office to carry a concealed weapon |
| Constitutional Carry Law | Gun owners can carry a concealed weapon without a permit |
| Number of States with Constitutional Carry Laws | 30 |
| Position of Democrats | Against the bill, calling it "dangerous" and "deadly" |
| Position of Republicans | For the bill, calling it the "next step in creating a freer North Carolina" |
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What You'll Learn
Senate Bill 50
Currently, in North Carolina, individuals who wish to carry a concealed weapon in public must obtain a permit from their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course. Senate Bill 50 aims to make this process optional, giving gun owners the freedom to choose whether to obtain a permit or not. The bill's primary sponsors include Sens. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), Warren Daniel (R-Buncombe, Burke, McDowell), and Eddie Settle (R-Alexander, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin).
"Freedom to Carry NC" has the support of some Senate Republicans, including president pro tempore Phil Berger, who previously opposed similar proposals. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee with a vote of 26-18, after adopting five amendments and rejecting 11 others. The bill includes provisions for individuals who wish to continue acquiring a concealed handgun permit for reciprocity or any other reason.
While supporters of Senate Bill 50 argue for the protection of an individual's right to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, opponents, including House Democratic Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham, Randolph), have expressed concerns about the potential impact on public safety. Rep. Terry Clark (D-Guilford) criticized the bill, accusing Republican legislators of disregarding the wishes of community members.
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North Carolina gun laws
North Carolina has a mixed record on gun laws, with a gun death rate above the national average. In 2023, the state repealed its century-old permit requirement to purchase handguns. Lawmakers have also made efforts to repeal several remaining gun safety protections.
In February 2025, Republican lawmakers sought to loosen gun laws further by introducing Senate Bill 50, or the "Freedom to Carry NC" Act. The bill would have allowed gun owners to carry their weapons in a concealed manner without obtaining a permit, making North Carolina the 30th state to legalize what proponents call "constitutional carry". Under the existing law, those who wish to carry a concealed weapon in public must obtain a permit through their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course. If the bill became law, this process would become optional.
On March 20, 2025, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill allowing the permitless carry of concealed handguns. The bill, House Bill 5, or the NC Constitutional Carry Act, is similar to Senate Bill 50. It allows elected officials in the state to carry a concealed firearm while performing their official duties if they have a concealed handgun permit. The bill passed the House Judiciary 2 Committee, advancing it to the House Rules Committee.
North Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and has a "stand your ground" statute. This means that a person is justified in using deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat in any place they have a lawful right to be if they reasonably believe that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another. This also applies to a person who is in their home, vehicle, or workplace, provided that the person against whom the defensive force was used was an unlawful intruder or was attempting to forcibly and unlawfully enter.
Other gun laws in North Carolina include:
- Firearms must be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circumstances.
- Devices that alter the trigger mechanisms of semi-automatic pistols and rifles and enable them to continuously fire rounds are prohibited.
- New handgun models sold in the state must have childproofing features and microstamping technology.
- All gun dealers must obtain a state license.
- Ghost gun parts cannot be sold without serial numbers and a background check.
- The purchase of gun magazines larger than a prescribed size is barred.
- Lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers whose bad conduct results in harm are allowed.
- Gun owners must notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen.
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Concealed carry without a permit
As of March 20, 2025, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill allowing gun owners to carry handguns without a permit. The bill, Senate Bill 50, also known as the "Freedom to Carry NC" act, would make North Carolina the 30th state to legalize constitutional carry.
Under the current state law, individuals who wish to carry a concealed weapon in public must obtain a permit from their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course. If the new bill becomes law, this process will become optional. The bill's primary sponsors are Sens. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), Warren Daniel (R-Buncombe, Burke, McDowell), and Eddie Settle (R-Alexander, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin).
The bill has faced opposition from Democratic senators and representatives, who argue that it will make North Carolina a more dangerous place and add fuel to the state's ongoing gun violence epidemic. They have described the bill as "dangerous" and "deadly", and some have claimed that it is a threat to public safety and will risk lives. Despite this opposition, the bill passed the Senate in a party-line vote of 26-18, with all Democrats voting against it.
The "Freedom to Carry NC" act is not the first bill of its kind to be proposed in North Carolina. In May 2023, the North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee approved House Bill 189, which would have made it lawful for any person 18 years or older to carry a concealed weapon in the state without a permit. This bill was also supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. House Bill 189 was referred to as "constitutional carry" legislation and would have repealed the state's existing concealed carry permit system.
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Safety and training courses
As of February 2025, North Carolina law required individuals wishing to carry a concealed weapon to obtain a permit through their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course. However, in March 2025, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill that would allow residents to carry handguns without a permit. This bill, known as Senate Bill 50 or the "'Freedom to Carry NC' act, aims to make North Carolina the 30th state to legalize constitutional carry, or the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Despite this bill, safety and training courses for firearms in North Carolina are still available and important for responsible gun ownership. One option is the North Carolina Concealed Carry Course offered by Carolina Firearms Training of NC LLC. This course is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely carry and handle a concealed firearm. The company has training facilities in Sanford and Siler City and offers multiple classes each month.
Another option for firearms training in North Carolina is Fully Loaded Defense, a firearms academy based in Wilmington, NC. They offer a comprehensive range of courses suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced shooters. Their courses cover various topics, including concealed carry, home defense, pistol, rifle, situational awareness, and instructor education. Fully Loaded Defense aims to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for safe and responsible gun ownership.
In addition to in-person courses, online options are also available for gun safety training in North Carolina. American Firearms Training offers a convenient and accessible online gun safety course. The course consists of six video sections, each followed by a short multiple-choice quiz, and concludes with a comprehensive test to review your gun safety training. This course can be taken at your own pace, and the content can be reviewed as many times as needed even after completion.
Whether you choose an in-person or online course, safety and training are crucial aspects of responsible gun ownership. These courses provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to handle and carry firearms safely, protect themselves and their loved ones, and abide by the legal requirements in North Carolina.
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House Bill 5
Under House Bill 5, individuals over the age of 18 who are U.S. citizens with no felonies or mental illness-related charges would be allowed to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill also allows elected officials in the state to carry concealed firearms while performing their official duties if they have a concealed handgun permit. This includes the ability to carry weapons in legislative buildings and offices in Raleigh.
Supporters of the bill argue that it protects Second Amendment rights and promotes freedom in North Carolina. They also claim that similar legislation in other states has not led to the dire predictions made by gun control advocates. Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, expressed optimism about the bill, stating that it is just a matter of time before such legislation advances.
However, opponents of the bill, including Democratic representatives, argue that it will make North Carolina less safe and contribute to the state's gun violence issues. They believe that removing permit requirements will risk lives and threaten public safety. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives described the legislation as a "recipe for disaster."
The bill has advanced through the legislative process, passing the House Judiciary 2 Committee and moving on to the House Rules Committee. It is unclear if it will ultimately pass the House and become law.
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Frequently asked questions
The North Carolina Senate passed the constitutional carry bill on March 20, 2025. It is now being considered by the NC House of Representatives.
The bill, called "Freedom to Carry NC," proposes to allow US citizens aged 18 or older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
Under current North Carolina law, individuals must obtain a permit from their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course to carry a concealed weapon in public.
Supporters of the bill, including Republican lawmakers and gun rights advocates, argue that it protects an individual's Second Amendment right to bear arms and promotes freedom in the state.
Opponents of the bill, including Democratic representatives, argue that it poses a threat to public safety and will contribute to gun violence in the state, making North Carolina a more dangerous place.
