Malcolm Rivera
The Constitutional Carry Act, or constitutional carry, is a bill that would enable individuals to carry a firearm in public without a permit. The bill has been passed in several states, including Mississippi, Wyoming, Utah, and Nebraska. However, it has also been vetoed by some state governors, such as in Pennsylvania, where Governor Tom Wolf stated that he would veto the bill, and in Montana, where Governor Brian Schweitzer vetoed a similar bill in 2011. The bill continues to be a subject of debate, with proponents arguing for the right to bear arms and opponents citing public safety concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is the Constitutional Carry Act? | It would enable anyone who can legally possess a firearm to also carry it concealed, in public, without needing to pass the test that the state currently requires. |
| Who introduced the bill? | Kidwell |
| Which state? | North Carolina |
| What does the bill propose? | To scrap concealed-carry rules for guns |
| What does the bill allow? | State lawmakers and other elected officials to bring concealed weapons with them anywhere in the state — even places where guns are otherwise banned, like schools and the state legislature — if they’re there in an official capacity. |
| Who can carry a concealed weapon? | People who want a concealed-carry permit have to first undergo safety training and pass basic tests — one written, one at a firing range — before they can get approved. |
| Who vetoed the bill? | Governor Brian Schweitzer on May 10, 2011, and was unable to gather the necessary two-thirds majority to overturn the veto. |
| Who else vetoed a similar bill? | Governor Gary Herbert in 2013 |
| Who else has the power to veto? | All state and territorial governors, some mayors and county executives, and in many states and territories, the governor has additional veto powers, including line-item, amendatory and reduction vetoes. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitutional Carry Act would enable people to carry a firearm in public without a permit
- The bill has been vetoed by governors in several states, including Montana, Pennsylvania, and Utah
- The NRA supports the bill, claiming it eliminates the need for government permission to bear arms
- The bill has been criticised as harmful to public safety
- The bill has been passed in 27 states as of April 2023
The Constitutional Carry Act would enable people to carry a firearm in public without a permit
The Constitutional Carry Act, also known as the North Carolina Constitutional Carry Act, is a bill that seeks to eliminate the need for a permit to carry a firearm in public. This means that anyone who can legally possess a firearm would be able to carry it concealed in public without needing a permit or passing the test currently required by the state. North Carolina's bill was first introduced in February 2023 and was sent to the House for approval.
The Constitutional Carry Act is not a new concept and has been implemented in several other states. As of 2025, over half of the US states have embraced constitutional carry or permitless carry laws, with the majority passing such laws in the last decade. The first state to institute constitutional carry was Vermont, which allowed for constitutional carry of a handgun without any government permit. Wyoming became the third state to institute constitutional carry in 2011, eliminating the requirement for residents to obtain a permit to carry a concealed pistol within the state. In 2013, Mississippi amended its concealed carry law to allow residents and non-residents to carry a loaded or unloaded pistol without a license. Utah became the 18th state to institute constitutional carry in 2021, allowing adults over the age of 21 to carry a firearm openly or concealed without a permit.
In 2022, four states - Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia - passed constitutional carry laws, becoming the 22nd to 25th states to do so. As of April 2023, Florida, Nebraska, and North Dakota joined them, and in 2024, Louisiana and South Carolina became the 28th and 29th states to pass similar laws. Additionally, attempts have been made in other states such as Tennessee to challenge the constitutionality of prohibiting 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying a concealed firearm in public or obtaining a permit.
The Constitutional Carry Act has been a subject of debate, with proponents arguing for gun rights and advocates of gun safety expressing concerns. Gun rights advocates, such as the NRA, support the movement, stating that constitutional carry "eliminates the need for government permission before a law-abiding individual can exercise their right to bear arms." On the other hand, critics argue that permitless carry laws strip away a critical safety component by removing the requirement for firearm safety training and live-fire training, which ensures that only responsible gun owners can carry concealed guns in public.
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The bill has been vetoed by governors in several states, including Montana, Pennsylvania, and Utah
The constitutional carry bill has been a subject of debate and discussion in several states across the US. The bill, if passed, would allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, which is currently a requirement in many states. However, the bill has faced opposition and has been vetoed by governors in several states, including Montana, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
In Montana, Governor Steve Bullock was previously against the bill and had vetoed legislation that aimed to expand permitless carry to the entire state. However, more recently, Governor Greg Gianforte signed the constitutional carry bill into law, making Montana the 18th state to recognize constitutional carry. The new law allows law-abiding Montana residents to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without written authorization from the government, protecting their Second Amendment rights.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed the constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 565. The bill aimed to eliminate the long-standing requirement for a special permit to carry a concealed firearm on one's person or in a car. Governor Wolf's decision was based on concerns for public safety and the ability of law enforcement to conduct background investigations to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining hidden weapons.
In Utah, there have been multiple attempts to pass the constitutional carry bill. In 2013, HB76 was passed by a two-thirds majority in both the state House and Senate, but it was vetoed by then-Governor Gary Herbert, who stated that the existing gun laws did not restrict one's ability to acquire a concealed carry permit. In 2021, Governor Spencer Cox indicated support for a constitutional carry bill, and the House approved Rep. Walt Brooks' HB60. However, former Governor Herbert had vetoed a past attempt, and it is unclear if the bill was officially signed into law.
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The NRA supports the bill, claiming it eliminates the need for government permission to bear arms
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has long been a proponent of "constitutional carry", a concept that eliminates the need for a permit to carry a firearm. The NRA celebrated the passage of Georgia's constitutional carry law, which became the 25th state to get rid of concealed-carry rules. In a statement on their website, the NRA wrote, "A movement long championed by the NRA, constitutional carry eliminates the need for government permission before a law-abiding individual can exercise their right to bear arms."
The NRA's support for constitutional carry extends beyond Georgia, with the organization taking pride in its efforts to promote the legislation across the country. "The NRA is proud to have led this effort across America and looks forward to welcoming Florida into the fold of freedom that constitutional carry provides," said Art Thomm, NRA Florida state director. The NRA's influence was also evident in Nebraska, where the passage of a constitutional carry bill was hailed as a victory for gun rights advocates, with Nebraska becoming the 26th state to allow permitless concealed carry.
The NRA's stance on constitutional carry aligns with its broader mission of protecting the Second Amendment rights of Americans. By eliminating the requirement for government permission, the NRA argues that individuals can more freely exercise their right to self-defense and bear arms. This position has been a source of controversy, with some critics arguing that relaxing gun laws can lead to increased gun violence and safety concerns.
While the NRA and its supporters advocate for the expansion of constitutional carry laws, others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on public safety. Opponents of these laws argue that removing permit requirements can lead to untrained and unprepared individuals carrying firearms, potentially endangering themselves and those around them. Additionally, critics highlight the rise in handgun homicide rates and police shootings in states that have weakened their gun permit laws.
Despite the opposition, the NRA and its allies continue to push for the adoption of constitutional carry laws across the nation, believing that it upholds the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to possess and carry firearms for self-defense and other lawful purposes.
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The bill has been criticised as harmful to public safety
The Constitutional Carry Bill has been criticised as harmful to public safety. In 2022, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson appealed to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to reconsider signing the bill, citing concerns for the safety of Georgia's residents. The bill, also known as Senate Bill 319, would allow Georgia residents to carry handguns in public without a license or background check. Mayor Johnson argued that the bill would make it easier for people with criminal histories to purchase guns and carry them in communities without any background check, putting residents at risk.
Georgia is not the only state where the bill has faced criticism and pushback. In 2023, a similar bill in North Carolina, Kidwell's bill, was expected to be vetoed by Governor Cooper, who had criticised such bills as harmful to public safety. However, with the governor's veto power weakened, gun rights advocates are energised to push for the bill's passage. Kidwell's bill would eliminate the requirement for safety training and tests, currently mandated for individuals seeking a concealed-carry permit in North Carolina.
The Constitutional Carry Bill has been a topic of debate and contention across multiple states, with some arguing that it undermines gun safety measures and puts communities at risk. In 2020, Idaho Governor Bradley Little signed House Bill 516, which expanded the exception to carry concealed weapons to any U.S. citizen or non-citizen active U.S. military member. In 2022, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296, making Indiana the 24th state to institute constitutional carry.
On the other hand, proponents of the bill, such as the NRA, characterise it as a victory for gun rights and the "right to bear arms." They argue that constitutional carry eliminates the need for government permission, allowing law-abiding individuals to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue restrictions. The NRA celebrated the passage of the Georgia law on its website, reflecting the differing perspectives on this issue.
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The bill has been passed in 27 states as of April 2023
As of April 2023, 27 states have passed the constitutional carry bill, allowing individuals to carry handguns without a permit, either openly or concealed. The bill has faced opposition and veto attempts in several states, but the number of states adopting constitutional carry or permitless carry legislation has steadily increased over the last two decades.
Nebraska became the 27th state to pass the constitutional carry bill, with Governor Jim Pillen signing LB77 into law on April 25, 2023, which took effect on September 2, 2023. This development underscores the growing trend of states moving towards constitutional carry laws.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as permitless carry, allows individuals who can legally possess firearms to carry them in public without a permit. This includes carrying handguns openly or in a concealed manner. The bill's passage in 27 states reflects a significant shift in gun legislation across the United States.
The first state to pass constitutional carry legislation was Vermont, which has allowed constitutional carry since 1793, explicitly stated in its constitution. Alaska followed in 2003, and other states gradually joined, with Wyoming in 2011, Kansas and Maine in 2015, and Idaho, Mississippi, and West Virginia in 2016. The momentum continued, with multiple states passing similar laws in subsequent years, leading to the current count of 27 states.
While the bill has faced opposition and veto attempts in certain states, the trend suggests a growing movement towards constitutional carry laws. The passage of the bill in 27 states indicates a shift in gun legislation, with over 50% of U.S. states now allowing constitutional carry or permitless carry.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitutional Carry Bill, also known as the Constitutional Carry Act, is a bill that would enable anyone who can legally possess a firearm to carry it concealed, in public, without needing to pass the test that the state currently requires.
Yes, the Constitutional Carry Bill has been vetoed several times in different states. For example, in 2011, HB 271 was vetoed by then-Governor Brian Schweitzer. In 2013, HB76 was vetoed by Governor Gary Herbert. In 2021, it was expected that Governor Tom Wolf would veto the bill in Pennsylvania.
Yes, a veto of the Constitutional Carry Bill can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in the House and the Senate, as was the case in West Virginia in 2016.
