Gun safety advocates gathered last week to sound the alarm over Senate Bill 50, legislation that would allow North Carolinians as young as 18 to carry concealed, loaded handguns without a permit, according to NC Newsline.
Currently, state law requires concealed carry applicants to complete background checks, safety instruction, and live-fire training before obtaining a permit. SB 50 would eliminate those safeguards.
Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the measure on June 20, but the Senate overrode his veto when lawmakers returned to Raleigh in July. For the bill to become law, the House must also override with a three-fifths majority. Republicans hold a narrow edge in the chamber, but are still one vote short of a supermajority. Two Republicans—Reps. William Brisson and Ted Davis—broke ranks to oppose the measure earlier this year.
With legislators back in town, the bill remains on the House calendar. If Republicans believe they have the votes, the chamber could move quickly to override Stein’s veto.
At a recent press conference, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence and MomsRising joined community members at Strategic Tactics Of Protection (STOP), a firearms training academy, to voice their concerns.
“More people will die in NC if the House overrides Gov. Stein’s veto. The Senate already has,” said Becky Ceartas, executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence. “We cannot let this happen. Too much is at stake. Lives are on the line.”
Jessica Burroughs of MomsRising warned that removing permit requirements would only fuel violence. “Look at what the data tells us about states with weaker concealed carry weapon permitting laws. They have 10.8% higher firearm homicide rates than states with stronger laws,” she said.
STOP president and instructor Tony DeRico, whose facility trains people in handgun use, unarmed defense, and home protection, stressed that proper education and vetting are essential to responsible gun ownership. He pointed to the risks of loosening requirements.
“Without those parameters, you are putting up a wide open fence that will allow much harm to be done,” DeRico said. “We don’t need to have young people who aren’t ready to have a firearm.”
Read more from NC Newsline.
