NC’s “Freedom to Carry” Bill Stuck as GOP Hesitates on Veto Fight

North Carolina’s “Freedom to Carry” bill remains stalled in the legislature, with House Republicans still refusing to attempt an override of Democrat Governor Josh Stein’s veto.

Senate Bill 50 would make North Carolina a Constitutional Carry state for adults 18 and older. The bill passed both chambers earlier this year but was vetoed by Stein.

The legislature has already overridden several of Stein’s vetoes this session. SB 50 even secured its override vote in the Senate. But House Republicans have yet to bring the bill forward, and now the math is getting tight.

If every member shows up, the House is likely one or two votes short of the 60% needed to override the veto. However, North Carolina rules only require 60% of members present to override, meaning absences can shift the balance. Lawmakers have used this tactic before, with strategically missing members allowing overrides to succeed.

But gun owners face another problem: several Republicans voted against SB 50 the first time, and nearly ten others, who did vote for it, are in tough reelection fights. The concern is that these members may avoid a high‑profile override vote that could fail and complicate their campaigns.

In other words, it’s the same old story. Many Republicans loudly claim to be pro–Second Amendment when talking to voters, but when it’s time to prove it with a vote, too many of them run from the fight instead of doing the right thing.