In coordination with Grass Roots North Carolina, State Representative Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico,) has introduced House Bill 5, “NC Constitutional Carry Act.”
The bill will allow lawful North Carolinians to carry concealed handguns to protect themselves and their families without the need for governmental permission.
OnTuesday, at Speaker Destin Hall’s office in Raleigh, GRNC presented 5,000 petition signatures to House Speaker Destin Hall, who had agreed to receive them in person in what the group regarded as significant progress in moving the bill.
What HB 5 does
According to GRNC, when passed, HB 5 will make North Carolina the 30th state to adopt some variation of permitless “constitutional” carry. As with House Bill 189, Kidwell’s constitutional carry bill in the 2023-2024 legislative session, HB 5 will make it lawful to carry a concealed firearm without a concealed handgun permit provided the carrier would otherwise qualify for a permit. As with previous iterations, HB 5 leaves intact the existing concealed handgun permit system for the purpose of maintaining reciprocity with other states, and as an alternative to gun purchases via the National Instant Background Check System (NICS).
Background
A permitless concealed carry bill was first introduced in NC in 1998 by then-Senator Hugh Webster (R-Alamance, Caswell). In 2017, permitless carry passed in the NC House as HB 746, sponsored by then-Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Caldwell). HB 189 died when it failed to pass either chamber by the May crossover deadline.
GRNC statement
GRNC president Paul Valone said, “Grass Roots North Carolina thanks Speaker Destin Hall for accepting petitions from the thousands of North Carolinian anxious to join 29 other states with permitless concealed carry laws. Those 29 states have recognized the right of lawful citizens to carry concealed firearms without need for governmental permission slips. Despite naysayers’ predictions, exactly none of those states have experienced significant problems with permitless carry, and have actually experienced significant drops in murder rates. GRNC thanks Speaker Destin Hall for his support and urges prompt hearings and floor votes for House Bill 5, ‘NC Constitutional Carry.’”
Founded in 1994, Grass Roots North Carolina is an all-volunteer 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to preserving individual liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights with emphasis on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
