Recently, House Bill 193 (H193) was reported favorably out of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, with amendments. Originally, H193 sought to enhance North Carolinians’ right to self-defense by allowing those with a valid concealed handgun permit (CHP), or those exempt from obtaining a CHP, to carry on educational property with permission from the property owner.
Unfortunately, the Senate Judiciary Committee amendments watered this bill down immensely by limiting who can carry on the property to only “employees or volunteers” of the non-public school; adding an additional annual education requirement on top of the education and training already required to obtain a CHP; and removing the carve-out for those exempt from obtaining a CHP.
While the NRA supports decisions involving security being left up to private property owners rather than a government-mandated one-size-fits-all solution, this legislation, as amended, severely limits those who can exercise their right to self-defense and adds unnecessary barriers for them to do so.
H193 is scheduled for consideration on the Senate floor today. If H193 passes, it must go back to the House for concurrence with these amendments.
Additionally, last Friday Governor Josh Stein vetoed Freedom to Carry NC, Senate Bill 50 (S50).
The North Carolina General Assembly now has the opportunity to override the Governor’s veto; however, both chambers need to approve the override by the required three-fifths majority of those present and voting for S50 to become law.
S50 would recognize your right to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without seeking government permission by eliminating the requirement that law-abiding gun owners obtain a permit to carry. The NRA strongly supports constitutional/permitless carry; however, S50 still has pitfalls that could entrap well intentioned gun owners despite NRA efforts to amend it.
S50, as written, creates scenarios in which a person could lawfully purchase and possess a firearm but would still be prohibited from carrying that firearm for self-defense purposes. While S50 is a step towards North Carolina becoming the 30th constitutional carry state, the NRA stands firm in its belief that if an individual is lawfully allowed to purchase and possess a firearm, that person should be allowed to carry that firearm for self-defense without a permit under a true Constitutional Carry bill.
Stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your email inbox for further updates on S50 and H193.
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