North Carolina Close to Becoming 30th Constitutional Carry State after a significant legislative push last week positioned the state on the verge of eliminating its permit requirement for concealed carry. The state Senate passed SB 50 by a vote of 26-18, and the bill has now advanced out of a House committee, reigniting momentum for a policy that many see as a restoration of constitutional freedoms.
If this effort succeeds, it would mark a dramatic shift in how North Carolinians are allowed to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Currently, state residents must be 21 or older, pass a background check, and complete a gun safety class before receiving a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Under the proposed legislation, anyone 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm would be able to carry without a permit.
The bill had previously stalled in the House Rules Committee for over two months, but last week, it broke through partisan gridlock and passed along party lines. Gun rights advocates across the state applauded the revival of the bill, emphasizing that requiring a permit for a constitutionally protected right is both burdensome and unnecessary.
If passed into law, North Carolina would join 29 other states that have adopted constitutional carry. The movement has gained significant momentum over the past decade, particularly in response to increasing public concern about self-defense, rising crime, and the perceived politicization of the permitting process.
Debates Intensify as Critics Warn of Public Safety Risks
Opposition to North Carolina Close to Becoming 30th Constitutional Carry State has been intense, with critics warning of potential increases in violence and accidents. North Carolina state Rep. Deb Butler (D) voiced her concerns during a committee hearing, stating, “More guns equate to more injuries and more accidents and bad behavior and tragic events.”
This line of criticism is not new. Every time a state advances constitutional carry, opponents raise alarms about potential chaos. However, gun rights advocates argue that these fears are largely unfounded. Data from other constitutional carry states show no consistent spike in gun-related violence or accidental shootings following implementation.
Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, responded directly to the critics, stating, “They say the same thing every time—more guns will bring more violence. But in every state that has passed constitutional carry, those predictions have not come true.” He added that the real effect of these laws is empowering responsible gun owners and shifting the balance of power away from criminals.
Supporters of the bill also emphasize the principle behind the legislation: that the right to bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and should not be subject to arbitrary permitting processes. Sen. Danny Britt, the bill’s sponsor, said, “Good people with guns stop bad people with guns.” He emphasized that the law is not about encouraging reckless behavior but about trusting law-abiding citizens to protect themselves without unnecessary government interference.
Moreover, research has shown that criminals are less likely to target individuals or communities where there is a higher likelihood that someone might be armed. In this way, constitutional carry can serve as a deterrent to crime, not a catalyst for it.
A National Trend Gains Strength
As North Carolina Close to Becoming 30th Constitutional Carry State becomes more likely, the national momentum behind permitless carry grows stronger. Just a decade ago, constitutional carry was a rare policy found in only a handful of states. Today, it represents the law in the majority of the country, signaling a significant shift in how Americans—and their legislators—view the right to self-defense.
Whether or not North Carolina officially joins that list in 2025 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate over gun rights and personal freedom is far from over. For millions of Americans, this isn’t just about policy—it’s about principle.
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