On June 20, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein vetoed a Constitutional Carry bill that would have allowed law-abiding adults over the age of 18 to carry concealed handguns without a permit.
In his veto statement, Governor Stein expressed his justification for this move. “This bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership. Therefore, I am vetoing it,” Stein stated. “The bill eliminates training requirements associated with concealed carry permits and reduces the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years old. Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous. The bill would also make the job of a law enforcement officer more difficult and less safe. We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering law enforcement officers and our people.”
Gun rights advocates and Republican leaders were quick to condemn the governor’s action. Senate Leader Phil Berger criticized the veto, stating, “Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to effectively exercise their Second Amendment rights. It’s past time for us to join the majority of states that recognize Constitutional Carry. I look forward to the Senate overriding Gov. Stein’s veto.”
To override a governor’s veto in North Carolina, the General Assembly requires a three-fifths majority vote in both chambers of the legislature. In other words, three-fifths of the members present and voting in each chamber must vote to override the veto for it to be successful.
72 votes are needed to override a veto (when all 120 members are present) in the North Carolina State House. There are currently 71 Republicans and 49 Democrats in the State House.
In the North Carolina Senate, 30 votes are needed to override a veto (when all 50 members are present). At present, there are 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats in the Senate. A veto override will be a close call and will likely require a few Democrats to cross the aisle in the House for it to occur.
Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, has previously argued that the permitting process is an unnecessary barrier for responsible gun owners and that Constitutional Carry would align North Carolina with the 29 other states that have adopted similar laws. “We want people to be free of the burden of having to deal with sheriffs who sometimes obstruct permits,” Valone has said, emphasizing the group’s belief that the right to bear arms should not be subject to government approval.
North Carolina’s Senate Bill 50 (SB 50), known as the “Freedom to Carry NC” Act, would make North Carolina the 30th state to adopt Constitutional Carry.
As mentioned before, citizens of the United States who are at least 18 years old would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina without a permit unless otherwise prohibited by law. The bill retains the option for individuals to obtain concealed handgun permits for reciprocity with other states or for convenience in firearm purchases.
Under Senate Bill 50, certain individuals, such as those under indictment for a felony, convicted of certain crimes, or deemed mentally ill, are barred from carrying concealed handguns.
The bill provides clear guidelines for carrying concealed handguns in locked vehicles and on private property, making it easier for lawful gun owners to understand and comply with the law. Additionally, certain employees residing on educational campuses are allowed to possess handguns under specific conditions, which expands the ability to carry firearms in areas previously restricted.
By eliminating the need for a permit for concealed carry, SB 50 reduces the administrative and financial burden on gun owners, which tends to disproportionately fall on Americans of humbler economic stature.
The bill would go into effect on December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
Whether the override effort succeeds or fails, Governor Stein’s veto has ensured that the debate over gun rights will remain front and center in North Carolina politics.
About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
