Hold onto your hats, folks—North Carolina’s latest bid for constitutional carry just hit a brick wall with Governor Josh Stein’s veto pen.
On June 12, 2025, the state’s Senate Bill 50 passed the House, aiming to let law-abiding citizens aged 18 and up carry concealed weapons without a state-issued permit, only to be shot down by the Democratic governor over safety concerns, Breitbart reported.
Let’s rewind to the start of this saga, when Senate Bill 50 made its way through the legislative gauntlet. As reported by Breitbart News, the bill cleared the House on June 12, 2025, and landed on the governor’s desk with high hopes from Second Amendment supporters. It promised a freer approach to self-defense for North Carolinians, aligning the state with a growing list of others already embracing constitutional carry.
But then came the veto, as noted by NC Newsline on a recent Friday, with Governor Stein slamming the brakes on the legislation. He argued it jeopardized public safety by scrapping training mandates for concealed carry and lowering the eligible age from 21 to 18.
“This bill makes North Carolinians less safe,” Stein declared, doubling down on his stance against what he sees as reckless policy. Well, Governor, while safety is a noble concern, isn’t it also worth asking if law-abiding citizens deserve trust over their protection? Seems like a classic case of government overreach dressed up as caution.
Stein also claimed the bill “eliminates training requirements” and drops the carry age to 18, painting it as a danger zone. Fair point on paper, but let’s not ignore that many 18-year-olds already serve in our military, handling far deadlier tools with top-notch training. Why not extend that same confidence to civilians defending their own homes?
The bill’s provisions weren’t exactly radical, considering the majority of states—think Alabama, Texas, and Florida—already operate under constitutional carry laws. These states allow folks to bear arms concealed without jumping through bureaucratic hoops, trusting citizens to act responsibly. North Carolina could have joined this club, but Stein’s veto keeps the state on the sidelines.
“Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous,” Stein warned. Sure, training matters, but isn’t it a bit paternalistic to assume young adults can’t be responsible without Big Brother holding their hand? Perhaps a middle ground—like voluntary training incentives—could bridge this gap without axing rights.
Stein didn’t stop there, adding that the bill would make law enforcement’s job “more difficult and less safe.” Respect to our officers, always, but shouldn’t we also weigh how often armed, law-abiding citizens have aided in stopping threats? It’s not a one-way street, and the data from other constitutional carry states doesn’t exactly scream chaos.
Let’s not forget Stein’s broader plea: “We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering officers and citizens. It’s a nice sentiment, but vetoing a bill outright feels more like dodging the debate than solving it. Why not push for amendments instead of a full stop?
The heart of Senate Bill 50 was about empowering North Carolinians to defend themselves without state permission slips. Stripping away permit mandates and age barriers aimed to level the playing field, especially for younger adults often left vulnerable. Yet, Stein’s rejection suggests a preference for control over trust.
Now, with constitutional carry already the norm in places like Georgia, Ohio, and Tennessee, North Carolina remains an outlier in the Southeast. This veto keeps the state tethered to stricter rules, even as neighbors embrace a more liberty-focused approach. It’s hard not to wonder if this is less about safety and more about sticking to a progressive playbook.
Supporters of the Second Amendment aren’t likely to let this veto be the final word, though the path forward remains unclear. The bill had momentum in the legislature, and overriding a veto isn’t out of the question if enough lawmakers rally behind the cause.
For now, North Carolinians aged 18 to 20, and those wary of permit hassles, are left empty-handed by Stein’s decision. It’s a bitter pill for those who see self-defense as a fundamental right, not a government-granted privilege.
So, where do we stand? Governor Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 50 has sparked a heated debate over balancing gun rights with public safety, but it also feels like a missed chance to trust the people over the bureaucracy. Turns out, in North Carolina, the pen is mightier than the pistol—at least for today.
