North Carolina was just one signature away from becoming America’s 30th Constitutional Carry state. But now, that historic milestone may never happen. According to both Washington Gun Law host William Kirk and NC Newsline writer Rob Schofield, the effort to pass permitless concealed carry in the state, through Senate Bill 50, is likely to die by veto. And it’s not just the bill that’s at stake, but possibly the end of an entire era in Second Amendment expansion.
What SB 50 Actually Does
Senate Bill 50 would allow any adult 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without needing a permit. No mandatory training. No background checks specific to carrying. Just the legal right to bear arms, concealed. In the words of Schofield, the bill would allow “most high school seniors” to legally carry hidden, loaded firearms.
Schofield, writing for NC Newsline, sees this as a reckless move. He argues that removing permit requirements would erase essential guardrails like training and background vetting. His position is clear: Gov. Josh Stein must veto the bill. “You really can’t make this up,” Schofield writes, calling SB 50 dangerously irresponsible.
William Kirk: It’s Not a Perfect Bill – But It’s Progress
William Kirk of Washington Gun Law doesn’t pretend Senate Bill 50 is flawless. In fact, he’s already done a separate video breaking down its imperfections. But in his eyes, it’s still a step forward. “It’s better than nothing,” Kirk says. “And right now, North Carolina is the only state left with a real shot at Constitutional Carry.”
According to Kirk, the bill passed both legislative chambers. The Senate approved it. The House passed it 59–48, despite Republican infighting and several absences. But here’s the twist: even with that margin, the GOP doesn’t have enough votes to override a veto.
The Math That Kills the Bill
This is where it gets frustrating. Kirk lays it out in simple numbers. The House GOP has the majority, but not by a large enough margin to override the governor’s veto. Out of 120 seats, a three-fifths vote is required. That’s 72 votes. Even if all 59 Republicans who voted “yes” stay loyal, they still need 13 more votes.
Ten Republicans didn’t show up to vote. Two voted “no.” And there were zero Democratic defectors. Even if all 12 of those missing or dissenting Republicans suddenly flip their stance, the House would still fall one vote short. “One. Single. Vote,” Kirk says. That’s the wall this bill crashes into.
Governor Stein’s First Veto Looms
Democratic Governor Josh Stein has signaled that he will veto SB 50, marking the first veto of his administration. So far, Stein has tried to be a unifier, not a fighter. But as Schofield explains in NC Newsline, Stein’s cooperation hasn’t been met with Republican restraint. This bill, Schofield writes, crosses a line.
He calls it “unbelievable” that the state would allow 18-year-olds to carry without training, comparing it to handing them a loaded weapon without rules. Stein, according to Schofield, has a duty to stop this bill cold.
Is This Constitutional Carry’s Last Stand?
That’s the question William Kirk keeps coming back to: “Is this the last stand for Constitutional Carry in America?” It might be. Of the remaining 20 states that haven’t passed permitless carry, most are deep blue with no political will to even consider it. That leaves North Carolina as the last viable frontier.
Unless major federal legislation is passed (a long shot), Kirk believes North Carolina was the last realistic shot to reach 30 states. And now, thanks to one missing vote, it could all slip away.
A Lesson in Local Elections
Kirk uses this moment to make a bigger point. Many people fear losing their gun rights because of federal overreach, from the ATF, the DOJ, or a presidential executive order. But in reality, most restrictions on the Second Amendment happen from the bottom up, not the top down.
“This whole situation is happening because of one local election,” Kirk explains. If Republicans had held onto just one more seat, SB 50 might have become law. It’s a sharp reminder: your state representative matters, especially when margins are this thin.
Media Silence vs. Real Data
Kirk also pushes back against mainstream media narratives. If Constitutional Carry were as dangerous as critics claim, we’d be hearing endless stories from the 29 states that already passed it. But that’s not happening. “You’d hear about it all day, every day,” he says. Instead, data from those states shows either no increase or even a decrease in gun crime.
He sees this silence as proof that the media doesn’t actually want to cover good news about gun rights. The narrative doesn’t fit, so it’s ignored.
Schofield Sees a Tipping Point
Rob Schofield, on the other hand, sees SB 50 as part of a disturbing national pattern. He believes this kind of deregulation will lead to more shootings, especially among young people. “No training of any kind would be required,” he warns. That fact alone, he says, makes the bill too risky.
Schofield also believes that the state should be moving toward more oversight, not less. If North Carolina wants to be safe, it can’t treat gun rights like a free-for-all, especially for people who haven’t even graduated high school.
One Vote Away from a Different Future
It’s wild to think that something this important could come down to one person. One absence. One defection. One decision not to show up. Whether you support or oppose Constitutional Carry, it should be eye-opening that our rights, or restrictions, can hang by a thread that thin.
There’s something deeply human about this entire situation. It’s messy. It’s political. It’s frustrating. But it’s also a reminder of how fragile policy really is. One vote. One more citizen paying attention. That’s all it would’ve taken.
This Isn’t Over
Even if SB 50 dies on Governor Stein’s desk, the fight isn’t over. Both sides now know exactly where the pressure points are. William Kirk is right – these battles aren’t always won in Washington. They’re won in statehouses, school board meetings, and city councils.
Rob Schofield and William Kirk might disagree on what gun policy should look like, but they agree on one thing: this fight is pivotal. And whether or not North Carolina becomes the 30th Constitutional Carry state, this moment will leave a lasting impact on gun politics nationwide.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.