N.C. Republicans introduce bills to remove concealed carry permit

North Carolina Republicans in the General Assembly introduced bills in the House and Senate to remove permit requirements to conceal carry weapons. 

Under current state law, people in North Carolina can purchase a handgun at 21-years-old and apply for a concealed carry permit at their local sheriff's office. To receive a permit, applicants must also pass a safety and training course. 

If passed, these bills would allow U.S. citizens with no felonies and no mental illness-related charges, over the age of 18, to conceal carry a weapon. 

When traveling across state lines, N.C. gun owners would still need a permit to conceal carry or abide by other state’s laws. Currently, 27 states recognize N.C. concealed carry permits. 

N.C. Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Caswell, Orange, Person) said there are significant concerns with the bill in the senate. For example, he said it’s helpful for law enforcement to know if they are approaching a registered gun owner or not — something a permit would help with.

Meyer said he opposes the bill and thinks it will make the state less safe overall. 

“We have a responsibility to make sure that people's right to bear arms is done in a way that creates an environment that is least likely to lead to unnecessary death, and this goes in the wrong direction,” Meyer said. “[I am] not in support of the bill, I plan to vote against it, and I want to live in a society where people are less likely to shoot each other than they are today.”

In a written statement, the Wake County Sheriff's Office said they will continue to work with law enforcement partners to enforce the current laws. 

“We support the Second Amendment and the right for individuals to lawfully purchase, bear, and possess firearms. We encourage all to practice responsible and safe firearm storage,” the office said. 

House Bill 5 — named the “NC Constitutional Carry Act” —  would also allow individuals over 18 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The difference between the two bills is that H.B. 5 would allow elected officials to conceal carry weapons in legislative buildings and offices in Raleigh. 

Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, said he supports both of the proposed bills, which if passed would make North Carolina the 30th state to recognize constitutional carry.

“Twenty-nine states have now adopted some version of constitutional carry or permit list carry in exactly none of those states have the dire predictions of the gun control people come true,” Valone said. 

Senate Bill 50 passed an initial reading last week and was advanced to a rules committee. One of S.B. 50’s sponsors is N.C. Sen. Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham), who opposed a similar bill in the 2023-24 legislative session.  H.B. 5 was also advanced to a rules committee.

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