Omar Bennett
On March 21, 2025, the North Carolina Senate passed a bill to allow the constitutional carry of handguns, meaning citizens can carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The bill, titled Freedom to Carry NC, passed with a vote of 26-18 along party lines, with all Democrats voting against it. If the bill becomes law, North Carolina will become the 30th state to allow constitutional carry. The bill will now go to the North Carolina House of Representatives for consideration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Senate Bill 50, "Freedom to Carry NC" |
| House Bill | HB5, “NC Constitutional Carry Act” |
| Purpose | To allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun without the necessity of obtaining a permit |
| Impact | Federal restrictions on purchasing a handgun remain unchanged, background checks for purchase are still required, and age requirements for purchase remain the same |
| Gun permits | Gun permits can still be issued for reciprocity with other states and making gun purchases efficient |
| Age requirement | Lowered to 18 |
| Status | Passed by the NC Senate and now with the NC House of Representatives for consideration |
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What You'll Learn
- The NC Senate passes a bill to allow constitutional carry
- The bill proposes to allow US citizens over 18 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit
- The bill is criticised by Democrats as reckless, dangerous and deadly
- The bill is supported by gun rights groups who have been lobbying for it for years
- The bill will now go to the NC House of Representatives for consideration
The NC Senate passes a bill to allow constitutional carry
The North Carolina Senate has passed a bill to allow gun owners to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The bill, known as "Freedom to Carry NC", proposes several changes to the state's gun laws, including removing the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun and lowering the minimum age for doing so to 18.
The bill passed along party lines, with all Democrats voting against it. Democratic senators expressed concerns that the bill would endanger police officers and the public by removing the requirement for training and background checks. They also proposed amendments to the bill to provide benefits for slain police officers and their families, which were adopted.
If the bill becomes law, North Carolina would become the 30th state to allow "constitutional carry", joining a majority of other states in permitting law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns without a permit. Proponents of the bill argue that it would reduce government interference in the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners.
The bill will now be considered by the North Carolina House of Representatives, which has also introduced similar constitutional carry legislation. If passed, the bill would still allow concealed carry permits to be issued for reciprocity when travelling to other states and to simplify the process of purchasing a firearm.
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The bill proposes to allow US citizens over 18 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit
The North Carolina Senate has passed a bill that proposes to allow US citizens over 18 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The bill, "Freedom to Carry NC", passed with a vote of 26-18, and North Carolina would become the 30th state to allow such legislation. The bill proposes to remove the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed firearm, with the only restrictions being federal restrictions on purchasing a handgun, and age and background checks.
The bill has been described by its proponents as "the next step in creating a freer North Carolina" and would allow North Carolinians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without government interference. The bill has been supported by gun rights groups and Republicans, who have argued that the previous permit requirement infringed on the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners. The bill has faced opposition from Democrats, who have described it as reckless, dangerous, and deadly. They have argued that the bill endangers police officers and that the majority of North Carolinians do not want this legislation.
The bill proposes to keep the permitting system in place for reciprocity when travelling to another state, to make the purchase of a firearm more efficient, and for various other reasons. Concealed carry permits will also remain available for those who wish to obtain one for ease of future weapon purchases. The bill also includes amendments to increase benefits for slain police officers and their families, and the loved ones of those affected by gun violence.
The bill will now go to the North Carolina House of Representatives for consideration, where a similar bill, the ""NC Constitutional Carry Act", is also being considered. If passed, North Carolina would join 29 other states in allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
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The bill is criticised by Democrats as reckless, dangerous and deadly
The "Freedom to Carry NC" bill, also known as Senate Bill 50, was passed by the North Carolina Senate in March 2025. The bill proposes to allow individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. It is supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats.
The bill has been criticised by Democrats as reckless, dangerous, and deadly. They argue that it is a threat to public safety and will put lives at risk. Representative Tracy Clark, a Democrat from Guilford, said, "The Republican bill sponsors claim that our Second Amendment right is absolute. That is incorrect. No right is absolute. We put safety measures in place so that one person's rights do not supersede the right of another." Democrats also accused Republican legislators of pushing the bill through without considering the input of community members, law enforcement, gun violence survivors, and domestic violence victims.
Representative Robert Reives, House Democratic Leader, described the legislation as a "recipe for disaster," stating that " [e]ither of these bills becoming law would make North Carolina a more dangerous place." The bill's passage in the Senate was met with Democrats holding a press conference to condemn what they viewed as dangerous and deadly legislation. They vowed to unite to stop the bill from advancing further in the legislative process.
Currently, North Carolina law requires gun owners to obtain permits from their local sheriff's office and undergo a minimum of eight hours of training to carry a concealed handgun. The bill, if passed into law, would eliminate these requirements, making North Carolina the 30th state to allow "constitutional carry." Proponents of the bill argue that it is a step towards a freer North Carolina, where law-abiding citizens can exercise their Second Amendment rights without government interference. However, Democrats and other critics argue that the potential risks to public safety outweigh the benefits claimed by the bill's supporters.
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The bill is supported by gun rights groups who have been lobbying for it for years
The bill to allow constitutional carry in North Carolina has been supported by gun rights groups who have been lobbying for it for years. Grass Roots North Carolina is one such group that has been working behind the scenes to collect signatures in support of the bill. In 2024, they delivered a hand truck with thousands of petitions to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, urging him to support a proposal to allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
The bill, known as "Freedom to Carry NC" or "NC Constitutional Carry Act," proposes to remove the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun in the state. This would align North Carolina with 29 other states that already allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The bill's supporters argue that it will allow North Carolinians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without government interference.
While gun rights groups have been lobbying for this bill for years, there is also opposition to it. All Democrats in the NC Senate voted against the bill, and several held a press conference to condemn it as "dangerous" and "deadly." They proposed amendments to the bill that would have provided funding for protective gear, required gun detection systems in schools and hospitals, expanded gun-free zones, and adopted a so-called red flag law, among other safety measures. These amendments were rejected by the Republicans, who hold the majority in the NC Senate.
The bill's passage in the NC Senate is a significant step forward for gun rights groups, and it will now be considered by the NC House of Representatives. However, it is unclear if it will become law, as there is strong opposition from Democrats and other groups who believe that removing the permit requirement for concealed handguns will make North Carolina a more dangerous place.
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The bill will now go to the NC House of Representatives for consideration
The legislative process is a vital aspect of democratic governance, where the consideration and approval of bills by both Houses of Congress play a crucial role in shaping laws. In the case of the constitutional carry bill in North Carolina, the NC Senate has taken a significant step by passing Senate Bill 50, also known as the "Freedom to Carry NC". This bill proposes to allow law-abiding citizens of North Carolina, who are 18 years or older and do not have any disqualifying criminal convictions, to carry a concealed handgun without the need for a permit. While this bill upholds Second Amendment rights and reduces government interference, it maintains federal restrictions on handgun purchases, including background checks and age requirements.
Now, the bill's journey continues as it heads to the NC House of Representatives for consideration. This stage of the legislative process is crucial, as the House will carefully deliberate and decide on the fate of the bill. The House, empowered by the Constitution, adopts rules that govern the procedures for considering the bill. These rules, established at the beginning of each Congress, can significantly impact the bill's passage. The bill will likely be referred to relevant committees, where discussions, amendments, and revisions will take place. The committees' actions will shape the final version of the bill presented to the full House.
During the committee stage, the Rules Committee plays a pivotal role in setting the terms of debate. They may impose a "closed rule," which enforces strict time limits on discussions and prohibits amendments. Alternatively, members can choose to suspend these rules with a 2/3 vote or opt for other procedural avenues. The House leadership, including the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader, also wields considerable influence in determining which bills advance to the floor and the timing of such proceedings.
As the bill navigates through the House, it will encounter multiple stages, including being placed on the appropriate House calendar. This process is not merely a chronological progression but involves strategic decisions by House leaders. Should the bill successfully navigate these hurdles and receive a full vote, it will then be sent to the other chamber—in this case, back to the Senate—where it will face further scrutiny and potential amendments. If both chambers ultimately pass the same bill, it will then be presented to the President for approval, bringing the bill one step closer to becoming law.
The progression of the constitutional carry bill through the NC House of Representatives will be a critical phase in its legislative journey. It will involve rigorous debates, amendments, and strategic decisions that will shape the final outcome. The House's actions will determine whether North Carolina joins the ranks of states that have embraced permitless concealed carry, balancing individual rights with public safety considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
The constitutional carry bill, also known as the "Freedom to Carry NC" bill, is a legislation that allows North Carolina citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
The main points of the bill are to allow law-abiding citizens of North Carolina to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, as long as they meet the minimum age requirement of 18 and do not have any disqualifying criminal convictions. The bill also aims to protect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners without impacting federal restrictions on purchasing handguns.
As of March 20, 2025, the North Carolina Senate has passed the constitutional carry bill. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes freedom and protects the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners. They also believe that it removes the arbitrary and time-consuming process of obtaining a permit.
Opponents of the bill, mainly Democrats, have raised concerns about public safety and the potential danger to law enforcement officers. They argue that removing the permit requirement and the associated training and background checks could lead to reckless gun usage and endanger lives.
