North Carolina Constitutional Carry: Will SB 50 or HB 5 Become Law in 2025?
- Apr 21, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: May 17
[UPDATED 5/17/2026] As of May 2026, North Carolina still does not allow permit-less (constitutional) carry. That means you generally must still hold a valid Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) to legally carry a concealed firearm in public.
However, the fight over constitutional carry is very much alive.
The primary bill driving the debate is Senate Bill 50 (SB 50), also known as the Freedom to Carry NC Act. A second bill, House Bill 5 (HB 5), remains in the background as an alternative legislative vehicle.
At Carolina Concealed Solutions, we believe responsible gun owners deserve clear and accurate information—so here’s where things stand right now.
What Is Constitutional Carry?
Constitutional (or permit-less) carry means that law-abiding citizens can carry a concealed firearm without first obtaining a permit, so long as they satisfy basic eligibility criteria (age, no disqualifying criminal history, etc.).
In North Carolina’s current regime:
Open carry is legal (for those age 18 or older).
Concealed carry requires a CHP, which involves training, fingerprinting, background checks, and sheriff approval. SB 50 and HB 5 seek to change that, allowing eligible adults to carry concealed without a CHP—while still maintaining a permit system for reciprocity and other purposes..
Senate Bill 50 — “Freedom to Carry NC”
SB 50 passed the North Carolina Senate in March 2025.
The House later approved SB 50 on June 11, 2025 by a vote of 59–48.
However, Governor Josh Stein vetoed SB 50 on June 20, 2025.
In late July 2025, the Senate overrode the governor’s veto.
Now, the bill is back before the House for a veto override vote.
Multiple override votes have been delayed and rescheduled throughout late 2025 and early 2026. As of May 2026, the House has still not completed the final override vote needed for SB 50 to become law.
That means SB 50 is NOT law yet.
North Carolina still requires a valid concealed handgun permit for concealed carry. What Would SB 50 Actually Change?
If SB 50 becomes law, most adults age 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm could carry concealed without first obtaining a permit.
However:
Restricted locations would still apply.
Federal firearm laws would still apply.
Prohibited persons would still be prohibited from carrying.
The CHP system would still remain available for reciprocity with other states.
In other words, the bill removes the permit requirement, not the responsibility or legal restrictions surrounding concealed carry.
House Bill 5 — “NC Constitutional Carry Act”
HB 5 remains active but has seen far less momentum than SB 50. The bill was previously referred back to committee and has largely taken a backseat while lawmakers focus on SB 50. At this point, most observers view HB 5 as a backup option if SB 50 ultimately fails.
What Happens Next?
Right now, everything depends on the North Carolina House.
For SB 50 to become law:
The House must vote to override Governor Stein’s veto.
The override requires a three-fifths majority of members present and voting.
If the override succeeds, SB 50 becomes law.
If the override fails, the bill dies for this legislative session.
Several recent reports indicate House leadership believes there may still be a path forward for an override vote, but no final outcome has been reached yet.
Why Training Still Matters
Even if constitutional carry eventually passes in North Carolina, training still matters.
A concealed handgun permit class provides important education on:
Use-of-force law
Conflict avoidance
Situational awareness
Firearm safety
Safe storage
Defensive mindset
Civil liability considerations
A permit also remains valuable for:
Interstate reciprocity
Simpler firearm purchases in some situations
Demonstrating documented training
At Carolina Concealed Solutions, we strongly believe responsible carry starts with education—not just legality.
Ready to get your Concealed Handgun Permit? Book a class today or visit our Resources and FAQs pages for more information on concealed carry in North Carolina. Have questions? Contact us at (704) 808-0174 or via our Contact page.
Always follow the 4 universal safety rules:
Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
Never point the muzzle at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
Know your target and what’s behind it.
Following these rules ensures that you and those around you stay safe at all times.
Firearm safety is a mindset: there are no accidents, only preventable mistakes. Equip yourself with tools like gun safes, cable locks, gun flags, or first aid gear from our shop to eliminate negligence. Ready to master this?
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