North Carolina is on the brink of becoming the 30th state to adopt constitutional carry, as Senate Bill 50 narrowly passes through a House committee with a 6-5 vote, potentially eliminating the need for concealed carry permits for citizens as young as 18 years old.
Key Takeaways
- North Carolina’s “Freedom to Carry NC” bill (SB 50) has passed the Senate 26-18 and cleared a House committee 6-5, advancing toward a final vote
- If passed, the bill would allow U.S. citizens aged 18 and older to carry concealed weapons without permits, background checks, or safety classes
- North Carolina would become the 30th state with constitutional carry and the 10th to allow it at age 18
- The bill includes provisions to increase public safety employee death benefits to $150,000 and establish scholarships for children of injured first responders
- Opponents cite public safety concerns, while supporters argue armed citizens deter crime
Constitutional Carry Advances Through Committee
North Carolina’s House Judiciary 2 Committee has pushed forward Senate Bill 50, known as “Freedom to Carry NC,” with a razor-thin 6-5 vote that signals the state’s potential shift toward joining the growing constitutional carry movement. The bill, which has already cleared the Senate with a 26-18 vote, would eliminate the requirement for law-abiding citizens to obtain permits before carrying concealed firearms. This legislation represents a significant expansion of Second Amendment rights in North Carolina and aligns with a nationwide trend toward reducing restrictions on lawful gun owners.
The narrow committee victory came despite House Minority Leader Robert Reives II’s attendance at the meeting in an attempt to sway the vote against the measure. Under the proposed law, any U.S. citizen 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm would be permitted to carry it concealed without the current requirements of being at least 21, passing a background check, or completing a gun safety class. The bill now advances to the House Rules Committee, where it faces additional scrutiny before potentially reaching the House floor for a final vote.
We're closer than ever to making Constitutional Carry states an even 30.
Three-fifths of the U.S. no longer requiring burdensome permitting processes or permission slips to carry a firearm.
If you are in PA or North Carolina, this is the time to push. Call your Reps! https://t.co/gszMeM0KlO pic.twitter.com/6vk68ekxyM
— National Association for Gun Rights (@NatlGunRights) June 3, 2025
Benefits Beyond Gun Rights
SB 50 offers more than just expanded gun rights. Amendments to the legislation include increasing the public safety employee death benefit to $150,000 and establishing a scholarship program for children of law enforcement officers and first responders injured in the line of duty. These provisions appear designed to build broader support for the bill by addressing the needs of public safety personnel and their families. Such measures acknowledge the risks faced by those who protect our communities while simultaneously expanding the right of citizens to protect themselves.
“Nine states have allowed constitutional carry at age 18, North Carolina would be the 10th that this bill became law,” said Rep. Danny Britt.
If enacted, North Carolina would join states like Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming in adopting constitutional carry. The movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, with many states recognizing that law-abiding citizens should not face bureaucratic hurdles to exercise their constitutional rights.
Strong Support vs. Vocal Opposition
The bill’s primary sponsor, State Senator Danny Britt, has forcefully defended the legislation with straightforward logic about public safety. His support exemplifies the conservative perspective that armed citizens serve as a deterrent to criminal activity and provide an immediate defense against threats when law enforcement cannot respond quickly enough. This viewpoint stands in stark contrast to left-wing arguments that restricting legal gun ownership somehow reduces crime—a claim repeatedly contradicted by high crime rates in areas with the strictest gun control measures.
“Good people with guns stop bad people with guns,” said state Sen. Danny Britt.
Opposition to the bill has been vocal, with critics raising concerns about allowing 18-year-olds to carry concealed weapons while they cannot legally purchase alcohol or rent cars. Representatives Ya Liu and Laura Budd have expressed particular concern about the potential risks, with Liu claiming, “Our children are scared. We shouldn’t accept it as a way of life, that they have to live with this.” These emotional appeals fail to acknowledge that criminals already ignore existing gun laws, while the proposed legislation would simply empower law-abiding young adults to defend themselves legally.
Public Opinion and Political Realities
Opponents of SB 50 cite a poll by the anti-gun group Everytown for Gun Safety, claiming 77% of likely North Carolina voters oppose removing permit requirements. However, such polls often use misleading questions and fail to distinguish between the opinions of legal gun owners and those unfamiliar with firearms. The steady national expansion of constitutional carry laws suggests a growing recognition that permitless carry aligns with both constitutional principles and practical public safety considerations, despite resistance from Democrat politicians and their media allies.
As North Carolina moves closer to becoming the 30th constitutional carry state, the debate highlights the fundamental difference between conservative and progressive approaches to gun rights. While leftists focus on restricting access to firearms for all citizens, conservatives recognize that such restrictions primarily impact law-abiding individuals while doing little to prevent criminal misuse of weapons. SB 50 represents a restoration of constitutional rights and acknowledges the fundamental right of Americans to protect themselves without government permission—a principle deeply rooted in our nation’s founding values.
