North Carolina Bill Proposed Eliminating Conceal Carry Permit and Affirming Second Amendment Right

A North Carolina bill would eliminate the state’s concealed-carry permit and affirm Second Amendment rights.

North Carolina bill: the Constitutional Carry Act

Republican lawmakers filed a bill on Thursday that proposes letting North Carolinians carry concealed guns without the government’s permission.

The “Constitutional Carry Act” would get rid of the state’s concealed-carry rules for guns. If it becomes law, anyone who can legally possess a firearm can also carry it concealed, in public. They would not need to pass the test that the state currently requires. The bill would also let people as young as 18 carry concealed handguns, instead of the current cutoff at 21.

Where the bill fits among other states

It’s the latest of various bills seeking to loosen gun restrictions in the state. Some of them, like this one and a push to repeal the state’s pistol permit laws, failed to pass in previous legislative sessions. But with a stronger Republican majority now in the legislature, the chances of overriding potential vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper are higher.

The National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups have pushed for decades to end concealed carry laws nationwide. Last year, Georgia became the 25th state to get rid of concealed-carry rules. And in the last two days, similar bills have also advanced in South Carolina and Florida.

“A movement long championed by the NRA, constitutional carry eliminates the need for government permission before a law-abiding individual can exercise their right to bear arms,” the NRA wrote on its website when that Georgia law passed.

What Kidwell’s bill would change in North Carolina

In North Carolina, Kidwell’s bill would also allow state lawmakers and other elected officials to bring concealed weapons with them anywhere in the state. That includes places where guns are otherwise banned, like schools and the state legislature, if they’re there in an official capacity.

The current permit requirements

For now, people who want a concealed-carry permit must first undergo safety training. They must also pass two basic tests, one written and one at a firing range, before they get approval. The accuracy test is basic. People take a few dozen shots at a target, from distances between nine and 21 feet away. They must be able to hit the target most of the time. The written test aims to make sure people know the law on self-defense, where they can or can’t carry weapons, and more.

All of that would become optional under Kidwell’s bill. The state would still offer concealed-carry permits, in part for people who might want to carry weapons in other states that recognize North Carolina’s permits.

Many Second Amendment advocates hold firm that permit schemes are “unconstitutional.”

Learn more about permitless carry on Wikipedia.

Key takeaways

• Republican lawmakers filed the “Constitutional Carry Act” on Thursday.
• Anyone who can legally possess a firearm could also carry it concealed, without the state’s test.
• People as young as 18 could carry concealed handguns, instead of the current cutoff at 21.
• Concealed-carry permits would still be offered, in part for people who want to carry in other states that recognize them.

Related reading on Creative Geniusess

• Florida Passes Bill Approving Concealed Carry without Permit covers Florida’s bill approving concealed carry without an issued permit.
• What is “Constitutional Carry” / Unrestricted / Permitless Carry ? explains the Second Amendment view behind the phrase.
• California is a “Shall-Issue” Conceal Carry Weapon (CCW) Permit State summarizes California gun laws.