House passes Senate Bill 50, sending permitless concealed‑carry measure to governor

The North Carolina House on June 11 passed the Senate committee substitute to Senate Bill 50, a measure eliminating the concealed‑carry permit requirement, after several hours of floor debate and a failed amendment that would have removed the permit‑repeal provision.

Representative Echeverria, a bill sponsor, told the chamber the measure restores constitutional protections: "I support senate bill 50," and argued the bill preserves the right to keep and bear arms for law‑abiding citizens. Supporters framed the change as a recognition of civil liberties and noted many states already allow permitless carry.

Opponents warned the change reduces training and enforcement safeguards. Representative Quicke, who spoke against the bill, said the state is taking an unnecessary step that could increase violence and harm vulnerable communities: "If we pass this legislation, I am confident that there will be more times when I have to reach into that dreaded part of my closet and put on a black suit, a white shirt, a black tie, and a black robe." Representative Clark, who described personal losses linked to firearm violence, recounted the death of a college friend and the homicide of another acquaintance and said those experiences shaped her opposition: "I once had a friend named Cy... two weeks later... took his gun, walked across UNC's campus at night, and took his life in the arboretum."

Representative Morey offered an amendment that would have stripped the bill’s permitless‑carry provision but retained other elements (such as increased compensation for families of slain officers and related penalties). She argued the amendment would preserve victim compensation while removing what she called the bill’s most controversial provision: "It takes out the part about repealing the necessity for carrying [a] concealed permit." The amendment failed on a recorded vote (46‑61).

Following debate, the House recorded a 60‑47 vote in favor of the committee substitute on second reading and later completed third reading; the presiding officer announced the bill would be enrolled and sent to the governor.

Why it matters: The change eliminates the existing concealed‑carry permitting process, which proponents said imposed administrative burdens and privacy requirements on lawful holders; opponents said permitting provided critical training, background checks and disclosure rules that improve public safety.

What happens next: Having cleared the House, the enrolled bill will be transmitted to the governor for signature or veto under the usual process. The bill’s enactment would change the legal pathway for concealed carry in North Carolina and could prompt adjustments in law‑enforcement guidance and community training programs.

Votes at a glance: The amendment to remove the permit‑repeal provision failed, 46‑61. The Senate committee substitute to Senate Bill 50 passed the House on a recorded second‑reading vote, 60‑47, and subsequently cleared third reading and was ordered enrolled.

Reporting note: Quotes and vote tallies are taken from the House floor transcript of June 11, 2025. Attribution of direct quotes in this story is limited to speakers named on the record.