SB50 Archives -

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Override Vote On SB50 On Calendar…Again

October 21, 2025

by John Richardson 2 Comments

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)

Whether an actual vote is taken today is up in the air. However, the arrest of Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford) for statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor must play into this. Brockman is currently in jail with bond set at over $1 million. Both Democrats and Republicans are calling for Brockman to either resign or be expelled.

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.

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Keeping Up The Pressure On An Override

August 25, 2025

by John Richardson

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.

DONATE TO GRNC: We are spending precious funds delivering phone and text messages into your districts. Please donate by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/
CONTACT INFORMATION

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”

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

E-MAIL THESE REPS LISTED BELOW IMMEDIATELY

Email and Messages

Email to Speaker Destin Hall

Destin.Hall@ncleg.gov

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.

Respectfully,

Email to Reps. Jimmy Dixon and Stephen RossStephen.Ross@ncleg.gov; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov

Subject: Support the Override of SB50

Dear Representative [Dixon/Ross],

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.

Respectfully,

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Permitless Carry In NC Needs Your Help

June 9, 2025

by John Richardson

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 schedule for 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.

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.

Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) has signaled that he intends to veto the bill if passed.

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.

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Counteract Everytown Protestors At General Assembly

April 16, 2025

by John Richardson

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 INFO Phone Number List:

Representative Phone Number John 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:

John.Bell@ncleg.gov; Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.gov; Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov; Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov; William.Brisson@ncleg.gov; Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov; Blair.Eddins@ncleg.gov; Karl.Gillespie@ncleg.gov; Kyle.Hall@ncleg.gov; Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov; Charles.Miller@ncleg.gov; Ray.Pickett@ncleg.gov; Reece.Pyrtle@ncleg.gov; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.gov; John.Torbett@ncleg.gov; Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov; Donna.White@ncleg.gov

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

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.

Respectfully,

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It Is All In The Wording Of The Question

April 2, 2025

by John Richardson

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.

So how did the Elon University poll word the question and what were the real results?

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.