North Carolina House passes bill allowing handguns on private school property with written permission

The North Carolina House on May 1 passed House Bill 193, a package of firearm-law revisions that includes a provision allowing handguns on K–12 private school property when the person has written permission from the person in legal possession or control of the property. Representative McNeely, the bill sponsor, characterized the measure as aimed at protecting children and supporting law enforcement training.

McNeely told colleagues the bill "is a simple all American bill that protects our children, trains our law enforcement officers," and asked for a green vote. Opponents said the bill would increase the presence of firearms in schools and highlighted gaps in required training. Representative Moore said she could not "imagine" private school teachers wanting a gun in a classroom and noted that school resource officers receive hundreds of hours of training compared with the short training referred to in the bill's proponents' remarks.

Debate focused on three elements: (1) the private-school provision, which allows written permission for an individual to carry on school grounds; (2) a separate provision on nighttime training for shooting ranges and limits on local regulation; and (3) differences in training expectations cited by supporters and detractors. Supporters argued the measure provides options to private schools and deterrence against attackers; opponents warned it could create confusion for responding officers and raise the risk of unintentional shootings.

Speakers on the floor also disputed factual claims used in debate. Representative Kidwell cited a figure of "2,000,000" defensive uses of legally owned guns annually; Representative Reuben questioned that figure and said federal statistics suggest a substantially lower estimate. Members raised a mix of policy and practical concerns, including age limits, the scope of the written-permission requirement and whether the bill's provisions apply to K–12 rather than only secondary grades.

The House adopted the motion to move the previous question and allowed a three-minute debate period; on the second-reading vote the clerk recorded 62 in favor and 44 opposed to the House committee substitute on a second reading. On final consideration the bill passed its third reading and was ordered sent to the Senate.

The next step is committee consideration in the Senate; the House record shows the bill will move to that chamber following passage on the floor.