The Freedom to Carry NC bill (Senate Bill 50) passed in a 26-18 vote along party lines. The bill would allow individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a permit across North Carolina. The state will still allow North Carolinians to obtain a concealed carry permit for the purpose of reciprocity agreements with other states.
“This is the next step in creating a freer North Carolina,” said bill sponsors Sens. Danny Earl Britt, R-Robeson, Warren Daniel, R-Burke, and Eddie Settle, R-Wilkes, in a joint statement. “Law-abiding citizens deserve to exercise their Second Amendment rights without government interference. It is time for North Carolina to join the ranks of the 29 other states that have constitutional carry.”
The bill now goes to the NC House of Representatives for consideration, which has also introduced constitutional carry legislation this session. Grass Roots North Carolina recently presented 5,000 petition signatures to House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, at the General Assembly, who said, “It’s just a matter of time” before the legislation advances.
GRNC President Paul Valone expressed optimism about the legislation passing the Senate on Thursday, where it has stalled in years past.
“Obviously, we’re very happy with what the Senate has done,” Valone told the Carolina Journal. “We appreciate them changing their stance from previous years. We look forward to getting a similar bill through the House.”
All Democrats voted against the bill, and several held a press conference following the floor vote to condemn what they described as a “dangerous” and “deadly” bill.
During a press conference, Democrats said the caucus is going to be united to stop the legislation from going forward. They said permitless carry is a threat to public safety and will risk lives.
“The Republican bill sponsors claim that our Second Amendment right is absolute — That is incorrect,” claimed Rep. Tracy Clark, D-Guilford. “No right is absolute. We put safety measures in place so that one person’s rights do not supersede the right of another.”
