The Tar Heel State is halfway to recognizing the right to carry a concealed firearm without first seeking a government permission slip. 

The North Carolina state Senate approved Republican-sponsored SB 50, "Freedom to Carry NC," in a 26-18 party-line vote last week. Meanwhile, the state House is working on a similar proposal, HB 5, the "NC Constitutional Carry Act," which has passed an initial committee vote but still has hurdles to clear before getting a floor vote. 

Both measures aim to eliminate the requirement that law-abiding gun owners obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state. The state would retain its shall-issue concealed carry permitting scheme, which grants an initial five-year permit for $90 with renewals running $70. According to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, the state has over 814,000 active permit holders. 

Notably, two of North Carolina's neighbors, Tennessee and South Carolina, have adopted permitless carry laws in 2021 and 2024, respectively. 

One big problem for the North Carolina measure is earning the governor's signature. The current governor, Democrat Josh Stein, took office in January after a campaign that had staunch support from national anti-gun groups.

As the state's Attorney General, Stein previously advocated for additional gun control measures, including universal background checks, raising the age to purchase rifles, and implementing "red flag" gun seizure laws, often signing on to multistate legal briefs in favor of those restrictions and others. Republicans do not hold a veto-proof state legislative majority to enact a measure without Stein's signature. 

Banner image: A Taurus 650 snub-nosed revolver in .357 Magnum with Galco leather accessories. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)