Constitutional Carry in NC: So Close Yet So Far became the story of the week as North Carolina lawmakers advanced a major pro-Second Amendment bill—only to see it face a likely veto from Governor Josh Stein (D). On Wednesday, the NC House passed Senate Bill 50 by a 59-48 vote, closely along party lines, setting the stage for North Carolina to become the 30th constitutional carry state in the country.
The bill would remove the requirement for law-abiding adults to obtain a permit to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. In essence, it restores the interpretation that the Constitution alone is enough to guarantee this right—no additional permission needed from the government.
Supporters hailed the victory as a long-overdue win for gun rights advocates, who argue that requiring permits amounts to unconstitutional gatekeeping. “The Second Amendment says what it says,” has been the rallying cry for constitutional carry supporters nationwide. If enacted, North Carolina would join a growing list of states that have made the shift toward unrestricted concealed carry for law-abiding citizens.
But that shift may now be stalled. Gov. Josh Stein has already signaled his intent to veto the bill, calling it dangerous and irresponsible. He made his position clear just one day before the House vote. His opposition to SB 50 represents yet another hurdle in the ongoing struggle for Second Amendment expansion in anti-gun strongholds.
Overcoming the Veto: The Fight for Constitutional Carry in NC Continues
While the legislative win is significant, Overcoming the Veto: The Fight for Constitutional Carry in NC Continues highlights the razor-thin political margins that make an override of Stein’s expected veto a daunting task.
To override the veto, gun rights supporters need a three-fifths majority in both chambers of the legislature. While Republicans hold a 30-20 advantage in the Senate and a 71-49 majority in the House, those numbers leave very little room for error. Any dissent within Republican ranks—or absence during the vote—could sink the override effort.
Despite these challenges, the legislative action still moves the conversation forward. It’s a strong signal that a majority of North Carolina lawmakers believe constitutional carry is not a privilege to be earned but a right to be restored. While the current permitting process in NC remains intact for now, this vote has energized advocates and mobilized gun owners across the state.
So Close Yet So Far: What’s at Stake for NC Gun Owners
The reality that So Close Yet So Far: What’s at Stake for NC Gun Owners is more than a political battle—it’s about the rights and freedoms of law-abiding citizens. Currently, anyone in North Carolina seeking a concealed carry permit must be at least 21, complete an 8-hour training course, be a resident for 30 days, pass a background check, and meet other requirements.
Advocates argue that these mandates—while well-intentioned—create barriers that disproportionately affect working-class citizens and do little to prevent gun crime. By removing the permit requirement for concealed carry, SB 50 would have helped restore equal protection under the law for all citizens, not just those with time, money, and access to jump through bureaucratic hoops.
Even if the bill is ultimately blocked, the momentum behind constitutional carry continues to grow. North Carolinians want the same rights already enjoyed by residents of 29 other states—and they are not backing down.
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