Six override votes are scheduled for the NC House of Representatives today. Included in the six is the override vote for SB50- Freedom to Carry NC. That is the bill that would make North Carolina the 30th state to allow permitless concealed carry. Open carry without a permit has already been legal in North Carolina for over a 100 years.
From the House Calendar under reconsideration of vetoed bills:
SB 50 Britt, Daniel and Settle (Primary Sponsors) FREEDOM TO CARRY NC. (Vetoed by Governor – 6/20/25) (Ratified Edition)
An override in North Carolina requires a 60% majority vote. By my calculations, it would take all 71 Republicans voting to override plus another one or more Democrats being absent in addition to Brockman for an override to succeed. The override vote for SB 50 plus five other vetoed bills has been calendared and then postponed multiple times. We will see if this time is any different.
The veto of North Carolina’s permitless concealed carry bill, SB-50 – Freedom to Carry NC, was overriden quite quickly in the NC Senate. However, the NC House is another matter. There are still some holdout Republican lawmakers who have not signaled that they will vote for override. I understand one of the lawmakers is mad at Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico) over an agricultural pesticide bill even though SB50 was a Senate bill and permitless carry has nothing to do with agricultural pesticides. Such pettiness is dismaying.
While the NRA-ILA is wishy-washy on SB-50 for their own arcane reasons, other national organizations such as CCRKBA and NSSF are stronger in their support of an override. As Larry Keane of NSSF notes, “Now, North Carolina is at a crossroad. Lawmakers can trust those who overwhelmingly obey the law or cave to gun control pressure.”
On the state level, both the official NRA affiliate North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Association and the independent Grass Roots North Carolina support an override of the veto. Having NCRPA on the side of a veto override is encouraging.
GRNC is pushing hard on the holdouts in the State House along with Speaker Destin Hall. In their latest alert, they had this to say.
It’s time to let the NC House Speaker Destin Hall that we want a floor vote on SB50. It’s time for Republicans to step up. And, we have more holdouts that we want to feel the heat and see the light so they vote to uphold constitutional rights by overriding the veto of SB50 “Freedom to Carry.
Your pressure is working Rep Howard Penny felt the heat and saw the light and will now support the Veto Override. We need to keep the pressure on.
Take Immediate Action:
CALL REPS Jimmy Dixon and Stephen Ross & Speaker Hall Immediately, let them know that you want them to vote YES to the SB 50 veto override. See phone numbers and message below.
Email REPS Jimmy Dixon and Stephen Ross & Speaker Hall Immediately, let them know that you want them to vote YES to the SB 50 veto override. See phone numbers and message below.
If you reach voicemail, leave a firm and clear message—let him know you expect him to be present and support your rights.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED CALL THESE REPS LISTED BELOW IMMEDIATELY
Call and e-mail: Numbers and e-mails below.
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Phone numbers:
Jimmy Dixon: (919) 715-3021 Stephen Ross: (919) 733-5820
Phone Message for Reps Dixon and Ross
“I urge you to vote YES on the SB50 Veto override. I thank you for showing common sense on the HB193 Veto override, and I want you to show your resolve and support for common sense for freedom, the Second Amendment and your oath of office with a positive vote to override the SB50 Veto!”
Phone Number for Destin Hall NC House Speaker
Speaker Destin Hall:
Destin Hall: (919) 733-3451
Phone Message for Destin Hall “Speaker Hall I implore you to get SB50 to the floor and rally support within your party to push the veto override of SB50 over the finish line. Now is not the time for a delay or backpedaling. The DEMS don’t seem to have a problem getting their party in line so we are wondering why you do”
Subject: Bring SB50 Veto Override to the House Floor Immediately
Dear Speaker Hall,
I am writing to strongly urge you to bring SB50, the “Freedom to Carry NC” bill, to the floor for a veto override vote without delay. North Carolinians expect their elected Republican leadership to defend constitutional rights with courage and resolve.
The Democrats have no hesitation in rallying their caucus when it comes to restricting liberty. Why should Republicans falter when freedom itself is on the line? It is past time to prove that our state’s commitment to the Second Amendment is more than empty words.
Your leadership is critical. We are asking you to move SB50 forward now, and to ensure that your caucus stands together to override the Governor’s veto.
Now is not the time for delay or hesitation. We expect action. I will monitor your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.
I am urging you to stand firm and vote YES on the override of SB50, the “Freedom to Carry NC” bill. Gun voters are paying close attention, and we expect our Republican leaders to deliver on the promise of constitutional carry.
We appreciate your common-sense support on the HB193 veto override, but now we need you to show that same resolve by upholding your oath of office and protecting the rights of North Carolina citizens.
This is not the time for wavering. SB50 represents freedom, the Second Amendment, and the will of the people who elected you. We need you to be counted as a supporter of liberty and to vote YES to override the Governor’s veto. . I will monitor your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.
When it comes to whipping the vote and voting as a solid bloc, the Democrats are damned good at it. The GOP not so much or at least not in the NC House of Representatives.
Such is the case of the override vote of Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC. That bill would allow permitless concealed carry in North Carolina. Permitless open carry has been legal in the state since the early 1920s. Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger did his work in the NC Senate which did vote to override the veto in a party-line vote.
However, the North Carolina House is one short of a super-majority which means all the Republicans must stick together and either get a Democrat to join them like with the override of HB 193 or have a couple be absent that day.
Currently, four Republicans stand in the way of overriding the veto as Speaker Destin Hall is not going to call a vote when he isn’t sure of success. You may remember that when the bill passed the House, two Republicans voted against it and 10 other Republicans were absent. One of the dissenters, Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen & Sampson) has now indicated he will vote to override the veto. That now leaves Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. (R-New Hanover), Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin & Wayne), Rep. Howard Penny (R-Harnett & Johnston), and Rep. Stephen Ross (R-Alamance) as being the roadblocks.
Rep. Ted Davis Jr.
Rep. Davis’ office phone is 919-733-5786. His email is teddavis@ncleg.gov. His Legislative Assistant is Martha Jenkins whose email is Martha.Jenkins@ncleg.gov.
Rep. Jimmy Dixon
Rep. Dixon’s office phone is 919-715-3021. His email is jimmydixon@ncleg.gov. His Legislative Assistant is Michael Wiggins whose email is michael.wiggins@ncleg.gov.
Rep. Howard Penny – will vote to override
Rep. Penny’s office phone is 919-715-3015. His email is howard.penny@ncleg.gov. His Legislative Assistant is Grace Rogers whose email is grace.rogers@ncleg.gov.
Rep. Stephen Ross
Rep. Ross’ office phone is 919-733-5820. His email is stephen.ross@ncleg.gov. His Legislative Assistant is Tammy Ross whose email is tammy.ross@ncleg.gov.
“We sent you to Raleigh for you to support our Second Amendment rights. Not for you to support the issuance of permission slips to exercise our rights. You need to stand up and support these rights and the will of the voters who put you in office.”
While Representatives Davis and Ross are in more urban/suburban districts, Representatives Dixon and Penny are definitely in rural (and more conservative) districts. None of these four are in marginal districts where a Democrat could use this vote against them. Indeed, that all won their seats in 2024 with 55% or greater percentage of the vote.
We have until the end of the 2025-2026 session to override the veto but I sure as heck don’t want to wait until next year. So call and email these four to make them see the light. Be polite but assertive.
UPDATE: I have learned from my friend John Petrolino that Rep. Howard Penny has now seen the light and will vote to override Stein’s veto of SB50. Thus, you should stop calls to his office unless it is thanking him for committing to vote for an override.
The hyperbole used by the anti-rights forces is always amusing even if it is downright disingenuous.
My case in point. I received a press release about an hour ago from an Olivia Eguia representing a trio of Bloomberg organizations. They included Everytown, the Demanding Moms, and the Demanding Students (or is it petulant Gen Z’ers).
Included in the press release is a quote from a Mary Lahr Cain who reportedly is a volunteer with the Demanding Moms. Ms. Cain, if her LinkedIn profile is to be believed, was the editor of a defunct weekly newspaper out of Fuquay-Varina called the Cleveland Post.
“After Governor Stein stood up for public safety and the will of North Carolinians, extremist Republican lawmakers are allegedly working behind closed doors to override his veto last week and make this dangerous bill law before their constituents even know what’s happening,” said Mary Lahr Cain, a volunteer with North Carolina Moms Demand Action. “I’m outraged that our legislators would do this in secret instead of listening to the people they were elected to represent. Our families deserve transparency and laws that keep us safe — not political games and backroom deals that put lives at risk.”
OMG! Those evil Republicans are working behind closed doors to carry out their constitutional duties under Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution. I would go on to note that the committee hearings on SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC – were open to the public in both houses of the General Assembly. Moreover, the votes on the bill were done in public and a roll call vote was held.
What the anti-rights forces are calling “the will of North Carolinians” is nothing more than a poll, which with the right wording, can be made to favor any position you want.
In his veto message, Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) said, “authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous.” I am all for training regardless of whether a permit is required or not and for people of all ages However, teenagers age 18 and older can currently carry a weapon with no training whatsoever. They just are required to do it openly and that is their constitutional right per State v. Kerner (1921) Those with criminal intent already ignore the law and will carry in whatever manner they choose. Seriously, what is a misdemeanor penalty of 30 days for a first offender when compared to 17 years for armed robbery?
Lest anyone forget, a majority of the states in the US currently allow permitless concealed carry. The addition of North Carolina would bring the total number to 30 with five out of the 10 largest states allowing it.
Cherry-picking statistics to bolster your argument is not a convincing way to win. Looking at what has not happened in the states that have adopted permitless concealed carry is more instructive. That is, blood has not run in the streets.
To conclude, sure there are politics involved with any bill. It was political that the General Assembly passed SB 50, it was political that Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the bill to appease his constituency, and it will be political how and when the Republican leaders choose to hold an override vote.
The permitless concealed carry bill, SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC, has passed the North Carolina House of Representatives and now will be sent to Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) for his consideration. Odds are that Stein will veto the bill.
The vote was 59 aye and 48 nay on the 2nd Reading and it passed the 3rd Reading on a voice vote. Every Democrat and two Republicans voted against the bill. Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) and Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen, Sampson) had voted against the bill in House Rules Committee and voted against it today on the floor. 13 representatives were given excused absences today.
I listened to the full debate on the bill in real time. Both sides had their moments and both sides tried to make their points. Much was made about 18 year olds not being responsible enough to carry a firearm. Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) made an excellent rebuttal to this by noting that it is perfectly legal in North Carolina for an 18 year old to open carry a firearm.
Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus) made a very good speech in favor of the bill. He said a lot of statistics were being pushed in the debate but the one statistic he pointed to was the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms. He said it was 100%. Echevarria who is African-American pointed out that this bill would not have been supported by Jim Crow! It was a great line. Echevarria also pointed to all those forbidden to possess a firearm saying the bill still would not allow them to carry.
The argument made by Rep. Ted Davis (see above) was really weak. His argument was that those who had North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permits had their privacy invaded by having to provide fingerprints and undergo a background check. He contended by allowing permitless concealed carry that it wasn’t fair to those who had undergone the permit process. I have to disagree as holding a permit does provide some advantages that those without a permit will not have. The two main ones are that it substitutes for a NICS background check when making a firearm purchase and that it allows you to carry concealed in a number of other states.
You can watch the full debate in the video below. It starts at the 4:20:25 mark and continues through 5:22:25.
I would like to note that both the NRA-ILA and Grass Roots North Carolina will be scoring this bill. Opposition will be noted and will be reflected in the grades earned by legislators.
The North Carolina General Assembly has posted the calendar for the House of Representatives for Wednesday, June 11th. Of note is that SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC – passed out of the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee today. It has now been placed on the House Calendar for its Second and Third Readings tomorrow
SB 50 passed the Senate on March 20th. I am unclear if there remain any differences in the bills between the two chambers. If not, then it goes to Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) who will, in all likelihood, veto the bill.
It is time to light up your representatives in the NC House urging them to pass this bill. The Dems will probably ignore you but it never hurts to put some pressure on them. The Republicans need to be made to understand that anything other than a Yea might cause them to lose their seat.
SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC – has passed the NC Senate and has now passed out of the NC House Judiciary 2 Committee. It is now in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee which is the last step before coming to the floor of North Carolina House. It is thought it could be voted on in committee either Tuesday, June 10th, or Wednesday, June 11th.
Update: The bill is on the Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee schedulefor tomorrow, June 10th.
Grass Roots North Carolina released the following alert asking for people to contact the Rules Committee to urge its passage.
TELL HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS TO PASS SB50
Senate Bill 50(“Freedom to Carry NC”) is likely on to get a hearing in the Rules Committee on Tuesday June 10, 2025.
That’s the good news. We know that the Dems are planning stiff opposition to this bill and will likely throw all their underhanded tactics to slow it down and defeat it. You can be sure the anti-gun lobby will be present in numbers to try and defeat liberty.
We need you to remind the Rules Committee Republicans who “brung ’em to the dance,” and tell them what you expect them to do.
We also need you to show up and let them know we’re serious about getting this passed. Location and directions below.
Remind them that we were denied permitless carry in 2023… We expect it in 2025.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
CONTACT NC House Republican Members on the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House: Contact the Rules Committee Republican Members and tell them to approve SB 50.
Meet at the “Printed Bills” room at 8:30 am on June 10th. Location map and directions below.
DONATE TO GRNC: We are still low on funds after our highly successful election effort. Please donate by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/ . CONTACT INFORMATION
NC HOUSE Rules CommitteeREPUBLICANS
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones – Vice Chair Charles W. Miller, Donna McDowell White, Erin Paré – Vice Chair Jimmy Dixon, John A. Torbett, John R. Bell, IV – Chair Karl E. Gillespie, Kelly E. Hastings, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson Sarah Stevens, Steve Tyson, Ted Davis, Jr., Tricia Ann Cotham – Vice Chair William D. Brisson
Below, find a copy-paste email list you can use to easily contact these representatives. Beneath that, in the Deliver This Message section, find the copy-paste message to use
Suggested Subject: Vote Yes on SB 50 Freedom to Carry
Dear Rules Committee Member:
I am writing because I understand that SB50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) has is to be considered in your committee on Tuesday, and I want to voice my full support for this bill and encourage you to vote for it.
About three-fifths of our country’s states already have constitutional concealed carry in some form or another, and it is long past due for North Carolina. I am calling on you to make sure our state lives up to its “First in Freedom” moniker, and to not leave us languishing on this matter once again. We were promised Constitutional Carry in 2023. We’re expecting it in 2025.
In large part, gun voters are responsible for the majorities Republicans currently enjoy in the General Assembly, and I expect you to live up to the promise of conservative leadership that we voted for, including and especially when it comes to the Second Amendment. Vote to move SB50 forward.
I will be monitoring your actions on this important matter through legislative alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina. Respectfully,
This is just one more necessary step to make North Carolina the 30th state to adopt permitless carry. Given that one of the license plate slogans in North Carolina is “First in Freedom”, it is time to pass this bill.
However, the bill’s path to law faces a major roadblock if it successfully passes through the House: Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. On Tuesday, Stein suggested to reporters that he would veto it if it passes the House, which could be his first veto since taking office in January.
“My standard reviewing any piece of legislation is, will this make us safer?” Stein said when asked about Senate Bill 50. “I don’t know what the version of the bill is today. I was going to see what they ultimately do with this bill. If it doesn’t make us safer – and the previous version certainly did not – I cannot support it.”
I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone who has followed firearms politics in North Carolina in recent years. Democrats have been fairly united in opposing any measure aimed at removing any of the restrictions on firearm rights. Whether it was allowing churches with attached private schools to protect their congregations or removing the Jim Crow-era pistol purchase permits, they have voted as a bloc. Indeed, their treatment of any legislator such as Rep. Tricia Cotham who was absent for the vote on these bills was so vindictive that it proved to be counter-productive.
With the Republicans only one vote short of a super-majority in the House and holding a super-majority in the Senate, timing is going to be the key to overriding the veto. All it will take is 2-3 Democrats being absent on the day the override is brought forward for it be successful.
Everytown and their affiliated organizations will be having a news conference and their “Annual Advocacy Day” in Raleigh at 11am. They are targeting S50/H5 which would make North Carolina the 30th state to allow permitless concealed carry. They are calling it “dangerous legislation” and, of course, are predicting that blood will run in the streets if the law is passed. In other words, the same old same old.
As a counter to this protest, Grass Roots North Carolina is requesting that people should contact House Rules Committee Republicans starting at 10am and continue through noon. H5 is sitting in Rules Committee having passed out of the House Judiciary 2 Committee.
Here is the GRNC Alert with suggested wording for calls and emails.
COUNTERACT “EVERYTOWN’S” ANTI-GUN PROTEST
GRNC has been alerted to the fact that Everytown for Gun Safety —an anti-gun group that has been funded in large part by far left politician and financier, Michael Bloomberg—is planning a protest this Wednesday (4/16/2025) outside the General Assembly, in Raleigh. Although it may be obvious that groups like this tend to operate with rent-a-mobs who don’t represent the true grass roots, it’s important that we remind our representatives of this, lest they wonder and take pause at any critical moments.
You see, currently, H5 (“NC Constitutional Carry Act”) and S50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) are in the General Assembly’s House Rules Committee, so let’s make sure Republicans in that committee understand where North Carolina’s actual Grass Roots voters stand on these pro-Second Amendment bills.
Use Strategic Timing to Contact Key Republicans Below, see how you can contact key members of the House Rules Committee with strategic timing. You can reassure them that any shrill anti-gun protestor they may see, or hear, are just that, and the committee members can remain comfortable in the knowledge that the voters who actually sent them to Raleigh are strongly in favor of the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently under debate. We’ll be phoning and emailing the members between 10:00 AM and noon on Wednesday (4/16), because Everytown’s protest begins at 11:00 AM, hence the “strategic” portion of this. See more below.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
PHONE COMMITTEEE CHAIR & VICE-CHAIRS: Wednesday, between 10:00 AM and noon (or as soon as you can after that), telephone the Chair and the Vice-Chairs of the House Rules Committee. Find their phone numbers in the chart below. Deliver the following, friendly message:
“I am calling to voice my full support for the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently before the House Rules Committee. I want to be clear that, contrary to what you might see outside today, I am not a paid member of a protest group funded by a wealthy anti-gun crusader from New York. I am a real North Carolina voter, and I voted to send Republicans to Raleigh to enact pro-gun legislation. As these bills are debated, please know that you have my full support on House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 50. Thank you!” EMAIL KEY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Anytime between now and Wednesday at 12:00 noon (or as soon as you can after that), email all of the key members of the House Rules Committee, and encourage them to support the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills. Below, you’ll find a copy-paste email list, and a copy-paste message you can use to easily send the message.
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated. CONTACT INFOPhone Number List:
RepresentativePhone NumberJohn R. Bell, IV (Chair) (919) 715-3017 Tricia Ann Cotham (919) 733-5886 Brenden H. Jones (919) 733-5821 Erin Paré (919) 733-2962 Copy-Paste Email List:
Suggested Subject: Genuine NC Voters Support ‘Constitutional Carry’
Dear House Rules Committee Member:
I am writing to voice my full support for the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently before the House Rules Committee, and I’m encouraging you to do whatever is in your legislative power to advance ‘Constitutional Carry’ in our state.
I want to be clear that, contrary to what you might see outside today, I am not a paid member of a likely-rented protest group, like Everytown for Gun “Safety,” which is funded by an anti-gun, out-of-state billionaire. I am an actual North Carolina pro-gun voter, who purposely sent Republicans like you to Raleigh to enact pro-gun legislation. As these bills are debated, please know that you have my full support, and the support of all NC gun voters on House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 50.
All that to say, if you notice a lot of anti-gun noise coming from outside today, ignore it. It’s not from genuine grass roots voters, and you have the full support of the real grass roots voters, like me, who are monitoring your actions on this important matter through legislative alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.
I received a press release this afternoon from Everytown saying 77% of North Carolinians oppose permitless carry. They are basing this on a poll by Elon University on behalf of Everytown.
Today, Everytown for Gun Safety released recent polling that shows a significant majority (77%) of residents in North Carolina oppose permitless carry. This comes as lawmakers are attempting to pass HB 5 and SB 50, bills that would dismantle North Carolina’s existing concealed carry permitting laws and allow individuals to carry concealed, hidden guns in public spaces without a permit—effectively eliminating all safeguards put in place by the current permitting system, including a background check, safety training, and live-fire training.
One advantage of my years ago graduate training in political science is that I know the results are all dependent upon how you word the question.
Currently, North Carolina requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun. This permit involves an application fee, safety training and a background check. The General Assembly is considering a change to allow concealed carry without a permit. Do you support or oppose removing the requirement of a permit to legally carry a concealed handgun?
The actual opposition based upon the poll question was 54% and not the aforementioned 77%. Republicans and independents were more likely than Democrats to support permitless concealed carry.
I wonder what the results might have been if the third sentence read, “The General Assembly is considering a change to allow concealed carry without a permit like 29 other states.” The question could have gone on to add that open carry without a permit is a constitutional right in North Carolina thanks to State v. Kerner (1921).
According to Elon University, they surveyed 800 people and the poll has a margin of error of 4%. Other questions in the poll dealt with the renaming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, tax rates, response to Hurricane Helene, trust in the NC Supreme Court, and approval of Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC). Nowhere in the release on the poll does it give the actual numbers of people sampled by party, race, or sex. In other words, we do not know if the poll was overweighted with Democrats or women who were more likely to favor gun control.
While polls do have their usefulness, constitutional rights should never be governed by polls or popular opinion.
It was then opened to public comment. Ken Stallings and Karen Raines represented Grass Roots North Carolina and urged passage. Likewise Sarah Kettle of the NRA spoke in favor of the bill with some reservations due to some of the restrictions on who qualifies. Opposing the bill were representatives from the left-wing activist group Democracy Out Loud, Dr. Anna Ruderman – a pediatrician from Durham, and a couple more whose affiliation I didn’t get.
The bottom line is that S.50 has now passed the Senate Rules Committee and will go to the floor of the State Senate.
The full hearing can be viewed in the video below. I would suggest viewing it on YouTube to be able to see and hear it better.
by 
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