North Carolina lawmakers pass bill for permitless carry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina lawmakers advanced a bill to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk that would make significant changes to the state’s gun laws, removing the requirement for concealed carry permits. 

Senate Bill 50 passed along party lines in March, but it was held up in the House for several months. There was a lengthy back-and-forth discussion before House lawmakers voted to pass the measure Wednesday. North Carolina would become the 30th state to allow permitless carry should Stein sign the bill into law. 

Right now, state law allows open carry without a permit. But if you want to carry a concealed gun, you’re required to get a permit. The process includes a safety course, fingerprinting and a criminal background check. Senate Bill 50 would eliminate all of those requirements, allowing so-called Constitutional carry. 

Supporters, like Larry Hyatt from Hyatt Coin and Gun in Charlotte, say the permitting process takes too long. 

“The people that are causing the problems are generally the people who don’t have good records, who can’t legally own to start with, couldn’t even qualify,” Hyatt said. 

Opponents say this could actually make crime worse. Rep. Phil Rubin, a Wake County Democrat, was one of many who spoke against the vote before the House vote.

“I think this bill does not help the people we represent because it is dangerous, it is unnecessary and it is deeply unpopular,” Rep. Rubin said.

A recent Elon University poll showed that 54% of North Carolinians oppose dropping the permit requirement, while 34% are in favor of the change. 

The vote means the bill now goes to Stein’s desk for him to sign into law or veto. North Carolinians Against Gun Violence has already called on Gov. Stein to veto.

Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.