NC concealed carry override remains stalled in House

A vetoed bill to allow permitless concealed carry in North Carolina remains stalled in the state House, even after Republicans successfully overrode several of Gov. Josh Stein’s other vetoes this week.

The hesitation comes even as House Republicans overrode Stein’s vetoes on immigration enforcement and diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, clearing a backlog of long-stalled measures that had been on the House calendar for months. 

Those votes passed 71-47, aided by the absences of Reps. Carla Cunningham, I-Mecklenburg; and Shelly Willingham, D-Edgecombe, both of whom were defeated in their March primaries by Stein-backed challengers after previously breaking with the Democratic Party on key votes.

SB 50, however, was not among the measures taken up, leaving it as the only remaining veto override awaiting House action.

Senate Bill 50, titled Freedom to Carry NC, would allow eligible North Carolinians 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit.

The Senate has already voted to override Stein’s veto. But in the House, where Republicans lack a supermajority, the bill has remained on the calendar without receiving a final override vote.

“The fact that House leaders have not brought SB 50 up for a vote is a clear sign that they just don’t have the votes to override Gov. Stein’s veto,” Andy Jackson, director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation, said. “They have problems on a couple of fronts. First, it lacks Democratic support. Reps. Carla Cunningham and Shelly Willingham, both of whom cooperated with Republican veto overrides on June 24 by staying away from the House floor, voted against it and appear to continue to oppose it.”

Jackson said the problem extends beyond Democratic opposition and into the House Republican caucus. The House voted 59-48 to pass the bill in June 2025, with all Democrats and two Republicans — Reps. William Brisson, R-Bladen; and Ted Davis, R-New Hanover — voting no.

“The bill also has weak support among Republicans in the House,” Jackson said. “Two Republicans voted against final passage, and 10 more were absent from the vote. It is probably no accident that nine of those 12 members represent competitive districts, according to the Civitas Partisan Index.”

Brisson and Davis did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication. Sources around the General Assembly, however, tell Carolina Journal that both remain opposed to the measure. Both lawmakers are also serving their final terms in the NC House and are not seeking reelection in November.

Brisson told The News & Observer in 2025 that opposition from his constituents influenced his stance. “My people at home are pretty much against it; I can tell you that,” he said. “I wasn’t in favor of it. I can’t understand why it’s here to begin with.”

Davis also expressed concerns about removing existing requirements. “I don’t see what the problem is requiring somebody, No. 1, to get a permit, No. 2, to access training to make sure they know what they’re doing with the gun that they’re buying,” he told The News & Observer in 2025.

Without either changed votes or favorable absences, House Republicans do not have the three-fifths majority needed to override the governor.

For Republicans in competitive districts, a recorded vote on SB 50 also carries risks in either direction. A vote to override could invite criticism from Democrats and gun-control groups in swing districts. A vote against the override could anger gun-rights organizations and conservative primary voters.

Given those realities, Jackson said he does not expect House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, to force the issue unless the votes are there.

“Hall would probably prefer not to put those members on the spot,” Jackson said.

Gov. Stein vetoed the bill in June 2025, arguing that it would weaken public safety and responsible gun ownership.

“This bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership,” Stein said in a press release at the time. “The bill eliminates training requirements associated with concealed carry permits and lowers the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18. Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous. It would also make the job of law enforcement officers more difficult and less safe. We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering officers and our communities.”

“NC concealed carry override remains stalled in House” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.