North Carolina Senate Passes Permitless Concealed Carry Bill

The North Carolina Senate has passed Senate Bill 50, known as the 'Freedom to Carry NC' Act, allowing permitless concealed carry of handguns, moving the state one step closer to becoming the 30th in the U.S. to adopt constitutional carry. The bill, which received no Democratic support, is championed by Republican Senators Danny Britt, Warren Daniel, and Eddie Settle, who argue it upholds Second Amendment rights without excessive government interference. Proponents claim that law-abiding citizens should not face hurdles like mandatory permits and training to carry firearms, while critics, including gun control advocates, warn that the absence of training and background checks could lead to increased gun violence. The bill will now proceed to the House of Representatives for further consideration, where it faces opposition from those concerned about public safety. Supporters assert that criminals disregard permit laws, highlighting the need for immediate self-defense capability among citizens. If enacted, the legislation would align North Carolina with 29 other states that have similar laws in place.