Where do NC gun rights bills stand?

August 4, 2025

Gun Rights Supporters:

Last week was a busy one for the GRNC Legislative Action Team. In my 31 years of Second Amendment leadership, I had previously managed only one override vote on a gubernatorial veto, specifically, our successful pistol purchase permit repeal in the last session.

Last week, we had three such votes – almost simultaneously. In theory, Republicans wanted to override all of Gov. Josh Stein’s various vetoes on Tuesday morning. They didn’t get them all but, in fairness, they put a pretty big dent in Stein’s plans.

Gun-related override votes

First, the NC Senate did exactly as Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger promised by promptly overriding Stein’s veto of permitless (“constitutional”) carry bill SB 50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) in a 30-19 straight party-line vote, sending it over to the NC House for a corresponding vote.

Next, the NC House voted to override Stein’s veto of HB 193, which allows concealed carry in private schools by employees with administrative permission, and strengthens our current range protection statute. That one was a squeaker, getting the requisite 72 votes only when Democrat Shelly Willingham joined the chamber’s 71 Republicans. HB 193 then went to the Senate for a corresponding vote.

Given that the Senate was certain to override on HB 193, we stuck to the NC House to watch the expected fireworks on SB 50. (To give you the flavor of events, the gallery was full and leftists outside pressed signs against the glass saying things like “Trans Black Lives Matter!” One looney leftist was removed from the gallery while screaming “Trump is a racist!”)

But we got a surprise when reports came in that the Senate had failed to override on HB 193, and that NC Senate Rules Chair Bill Rabon had voted against the override. When we did the math on the 29-19 vote, we were even more perplexed, since that exceeds the 6/10 needed for override.

Things became clear when we learned that because Sen. David Craven didn’t vote, Republicans weren’t certain of winning. So, in order to be procedurally able to move for reconsideration of a failed vote, they had Rabon vote against. When it became clear the Senate could pass the override with Rabon’s vote, he changed his vote to “yes” and HB 193 became law despite Stein’s veto. It becomes effective Dec. 1, 2025.

GRNC thanks Sen. Bergerand Senate Republicans for keeping their promise (although we wish they had done it in the last session, when the House had a supermajority).  GRNC also thanks to HB 193 sponsor Jeff McNeely and SB 50 sponsor Dan Britt.

Status of permitless carry

What we did not get, however, was a House vote on SB 50 despite the fact that it was calendared for the next day. In fact, none of the veto reconsiderations scheduled for Wednesday took place, reportedly because NC House Republicans lacked the votes to successfully override.

The good news is that your calls and emails have secured a “yes” vote from Rep. Bill Brisson, who had previously voted “no” on the bill. The bad news is that three and possibly four Republicans remain opposed to SB 50: Reps. Ted Davis (New Hanover), Jimmy Dixon (Duplin, Wayne), Howard Penny (Harnett, Johnston), and Stephen Ross (Alamance). (Note: Penny seems to be a somewhat squishy “yes” vote.)

Actions going forward

The next opportunity to override the SB 50 veto will be on August 26. Prior to that date, GRNC will be applying pressure to the four recalcitrant Republicans. We will also be appealing to Democrats who voted with Republicans to override on HB 193 and other vetoes.

That means putting automated phone and text alerts into the four districts. I would also like to be able to do radio spots in those districts, something we presently can’t afford.

We need your help. You may already have donated to GRNC or our PAC, the GRNC Political Victory Fund, for which you have my profound thanks. But I’m afraid I need to ask again. Please help us pass SB 50 by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/

With your help, Grass Roots North Carolina will continue our unprecedented 31 years of legislative success.

Armatissimi e liberissimi,

F. Paul Valone

President, Grass Roots North Carolina

Executive Director, Rights Watch International

Host, Guns, Politics and Freedom

Author, Rules for ANTI-Radicals: A Practical Handbook for Defeating Leftism

P.S. Again, I thank you for any contributions you may previously have made. But $250, $125, $50, or even $25 would help us put pressure on the “RINO” Republicans who oppose your freedom to carry without governmental permission.