North Carolina Constitutional Carry: Will SB 50 or HB 5 Become Law in 2025?

carolinaconcealeds
Apr 21
4 min read

Updated: Sep 28

As of today, North Carolina still does not allow permitless (constitutional) carry—that is, you generally must hold a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) in order to carry a concealed firearm. But the push to change that is very much alive. Two leading bills—Senate Bill 50 (SB 50) and House Bill 5 (HB 5)—are at the heart of the fight. At Carolina Concealed Solutions, we believe you deserve clarity, so here’s where things stand now and what to watch.

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..

Where Things Stand (as of Late 2025)

Here’s the most recent breakdown of each bill and the political dynamics:

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.
The House recently rescheduled a veto override vote for October 20, 2025.

So SB 50 is not yet law; it needs a successful House override of the governor’s veto.

House Bill 5 — “NC Constitutional Carry Act”

HB 5 was referred back to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee as of March 19, 2025.
The bill analysis shows that, if passed, HB 5 would become effective December 1, 2025 and would apply to offenses committed on or after that date.
Compared to SB 50, HB 5 has not advanced as far through the legislative process.

Given the momentum behind SB 50, HB 5 is often viewed as a secondary or backup vehicle for constitutional carry, but at present it has not overtaken SB 50 in legislative priority. Here are the most likely paths forward—and key obstacles:

House Veto Override on SB 50

Since the Senate successfully overrode the governor’s veto, SB 50's fate now hinges on the House.
The House must muster a three-fifths majority (of those present and voting) to override.
Because the override is scheduled only after the Senate’s action, timing is compressed.
If the House override succeeds, SB 50 becomes law; if it fails, the bill dies (for this session) despite Senate passage.

Fate of HB 5

Even if SB 50 fails, HB 5 could still be revived, modified, or picked up later in the session.
But in order for HB 5 to become law, it must pass both chambers and either be signed by the governor or have its veto overridden.
Because of weaker momentum and the current focus on SB 50, HB 5 is less likely (but not impossible) to be the path forward this session.

Effective Dates & Implementation

If SB 50 becomes law, the effective date would be determined by the final enrolled bill.
For HB 5, the draft version already includes a December 1, 2025 effective date for offenses committed on or after that date.
Even after passage, implementing rules, clarifications by law enforcement, and legal challenges may affect how soon permit-less carry is practicable in everyday life.

Potential Veto or Other Delays

The governor has already vetoed SB 50 once, citing concerns about public safety and lack of training requirements.
If future amendments or modifications make the final bill controversial, that could jeopardize an override or spark legal challenges.
Even after a law is passed or overridden, legal challenges or court injunctions might delay enforcement.

What This Means for Concealed Carry in North Carolina

If SB 50 becomes law via veto override, North Carolina would join the ranks of states allowing permitless concealed carry (pending the final enrolled language). Until then, the status quo remains: you need a valid CHP to legally carry concealed.

Even under constitutional carry, having a CHP will remain valuable for several reasons:

Reciprocity — Many other states require a permit for recognition of concealed carry from North Carolina.
Clarity & training — A CHP curriculum provides deeper knowledge of use-of-force law, risk assessment, and safe handling—elements that aren’t guaranteed under permitless carry.
Paper trail & defenses — A permit can help demonstrate you met certain legal prerequisites and training requirements.

As always, responsible carry begins with education. At Carolina Concealed Solutions, we continue offering classes covering safety, legal use of force, situational awareness, and more—regardless of whether constitutional carry passes this session.

Stay Prepared with Carolina Concealed Solutions

Whether or not constitutional carry becomes law, responsible concealed carry starts with education and training. At Carolina Concealed Solutions, our expert instructors offer comprehensive concealed carry classes covering everything from firearm safety to legal considerations. Don’t wait for legislative changes—prepare now to protect yourself and your loved ones confidently.

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.

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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.

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