RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A bill loosening gun restrictions in North Carolina continues to move forward.
Senate Bill 50 passed through the chamber Thursday afternoon on a 26-18 vote.
SB 50 S50v0.pdf, also named the “Freedom to Carry NC” act, ultimately allows a person to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The bill applies to individuals who are at 18 and older and a U.S. citizen unless otherwise prohibited by law.
During the meeting, primary sponsor of the bill, Sen. Danny Britt (R- Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), said, “We’re just trying to make sure that people’s constitutional right is protected. We believe the Constitution is worth fighting for.”
Britt said 29 other states currently allow the carry of concealed firearms without permits. The bill states there are some restrictions where it would still be unlawful to carry a concealed firearm including a law enforcement or correctional facility, private facilities where a notice is posted, and areas prohibited by federal law.
Wednesday, some lawmakers and people who spoke during public comment at the meeting voiced their concerns about SB 50. Questions of safety and education remained a key focus.
Sen. Paul Lowe (D- Forsyth) said, “I get the constitutional right side and to be able to get a gun if you want one… I get that. But the education of how to handle a firearm is my concern.”
Currently, North Carolina law requires an eight-hour minimum of training to obtain a concealed carry permit. If SB 50 passes, Britt said the training would not be required.
“To be able to use a firearm safely, that takes years of training, not just through an 8-hour class,” said Britt. “What we’re doing is making it easier for our law abiding citizens to constitutionally carry, and most of those folks I believe are adequately trained to handle a firearm.”
Britt also noted that education is not currently a requirement for open carry in North Carolina.
“I don’t know what bills have been put in place or filed to our open-carry statutes, it seems as though that’s been fine,” he said.
Before hearing from members of the public, Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey), spoke in support of SB 50.
“I will continue to get and renew my concealed carry permit even after this bill because I’ve traveled to South Carolina and Florida and it sure makes the purchasing process a whole lot easier.” He added, “I really just want to ask an attorney a question. Can you name any other constitutional right in which we would require government education before you can exercise your right?”
In response, Sen. Julie Mayfield (D- Buncombe) replied, “We require women to go through all sorts of education to seek a legal, safe abortion in this state.”
Mayfield said her biggest concern is reducing barriers to people obtaining guns. She included, “We had a speaker in there who talked about the rise in gun violence and death by gun is the now the leading cause of death among children. I just think bills like this that make it easier for people to obtain guns is going in the wrong direction.”
The Senate bill has also created concerns among law enforcement. In a statement, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said, “This will undermine public safety, and I think we should take our time… to study this a little bit more to get some more data and have conversations with law enforcement because SB 50 could potentially increase the chance of violence in even the most minor of law enforcement interactions with the public. My deputies in Durham County will have to treat every traffic stop, every encounter, like a felony stop. That puts everybody at risk.”
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office also shared the following statement: “Sheriff Rowe and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office remain committed to ensuring the safety of our community. Please know that we are actively monitoring this legislation and will continue to work with lawmakers to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of our community and law enforcement officers. We encourage residents to share their concerns with their local representatives as well.”
In 2023, the North Carolina legislature also overturned former Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto and passed a law that no longer required a pistol purchase permit from the sheriff’s office in order to buy a handgun. It eliminated the process of the agency’s ability to run a background check.
SB 50 maintains the option to obtain a permit for purposes of reciprocity with other states and other personal reasons.
The bill now heads to the House.
