June 10, 2025
North Carolina advances permitless carry for 18-year-olds
House override vote delayed to February 2026 as police chiefs warn of danger
📋Public Policy✊Civil Rights
Senate Bill 50 passed the NC House 59-48 on June 11, 2025, along party lines. The bill would let anyone 18 or older carry concealed weapons without permits, training, or background checks. North Carolina would become the 30th constitutional carry state if the bill becomes law.
Governor Josh Stein vetoed SB 50 on June 20, 2025, calling it 'reckless and dangerous' to authorize untrained teenagers to carry concealed guns. He warned the bill eliminates training requirements and lowers the concealed carry age from 21 to 18.
The NC Senate overrode Stein's veto 26-18 on July 29, 2025. The House postponed its override vote to February 9, 2026, keeping current permit requirements in effect. Two House Republicans, Rep. William Brisson and Rep. Ted Davis, voted against the bill.
An Everytown poll of 800 likely NC voters in September 2024 found 77% oppose removing permit requirements. This includes 60% of Republicans and nearly two-thirds of gun owners who support keeping the permit system.
Johns Hopkins research found states that passed permitless carry saw a 32% increase in nonfatal shootings. When states stopped requiring live firearm training, they experienced a 21.6% increase in gun assaults per 100,000 population and a 34.9% increase in gun homicides.
North Carolina sheriffs Charles Blackwood (Orange County) and Clarence Birkhead (Durham County) publicly opposed SB 50. They warned the bill would make communities less safe and complicate law enforcement work.
The NRA Political Victory Fund donated the maximum allowed $5,400 to Senate leader Phil Berger. The NRA spent $51,000 total on NC state races from 2016-2022. Grass Roots North Carolina delivered a 7,000-signature petition to Senator Berger demanding passage.
📋Public Policy✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
To which governor's desk will the bill go if it passes the full House?
Q2
What constitutional principle do bill sponsors cite for permitless carry?
Q3
What was the final House Judiciary Committee vote on Senate Bill 50?
Q4
What is the minimum age for permitless concealed carry under Senate Bill 50?
Q5
North Carolina would become the 25th constitutional carry state if the bill passes.
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Governor Josh Stein
Governor of North Carolina
Senator Phil Berger
NC Senate President Pro Tempore
Rep. Keith Kidwell
NC House Republican
Sheriff Charles Blackwood
Orange County Sheriff
Rep. William Brisson
NC House Republican
What you can do
1
civic action
Tell your NC House representative to oppose SB 50 permitless carry before the Feb. 9, 2026 override vote that would eliminate gun safety requirements
The House override vote is scheduled for February 9, 2026. Representatives need to hear from constituents before the vote. Tell them whether you support or oppose SB 50.
Hello, I'm [NAME], a constituent from [TOWN]. I'm calling about Senate Bill 50, the permitless carry bill. [I oppose/support] this bill because [77% of NC voters oppose removing permit requirements / law enforcement warned it makes communities less safe / I believe in Second Amendment rights]. I urge Representative [NAME] to vote [against/for] overriding Governor Stein's veto. Thank you.
2
civic action
Attend NC House Rules Committee hearings
SB 50 was re-referred to the House Rules Committee. Public attendance at committee hearings puts pressure on legislators and gets your voice on the record.
3
research
Research your representative's NRA donations
The NRA spent $51,000 on NC state races from 2016-2022. Check whether your representative received gun lobby money that might influence their vote.