A new bill filed by State Sen. Danny Earl Britt Jr. seeks to amend laws to allow permitless concealed handgun carry with specific restrictions and penalties, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 50 on Feb. 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Freedom to Carry NC.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends existing North Carolina laws to allow individuals aged 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, while still permitting people to acquire a permit for reciprocity or other reasons. It delineates specific conditions under which carrying is prohibited, such as in certain public and governmental buildings and facilities where signs prohibiting weapons are posted. The bill also outlines regulations on carrying while consuming alcohol or on educational property, maintains existing prohibitions for specific offences, and sets penalties for violations, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. It takes effect Dec. 1, 2025, and does not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before that date.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Britt and Eddie D. Settle proposed the most bills (three) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Britt graduated from University of Oklahoma with a JD.
Britt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Amy Galey.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Warren Daniel | SB 50 | 02/04/2025 | Freedom to Carry NC. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 51 | 02/04/2025 | Maintain NAIC Accreditation of DOI.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 52 | 02/04/2025 | 24th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
