North Carolina Govenor Vetos Constitutional Carry Law

On June 20, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a Constitutional Carry bill that would have allowed law-abiding adults over the age of 18 to carry concealed handguns without having to jump through various government hoops and pay a fee to do so.

“This bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership. Therefore, I am vetoing it,” Stein said in his veto statement. “The bill eliminates training requirements associated with concealed carry permits and reduces the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years old. Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous. The bill would also make the job of a law enforcement officer more difficult and less safe. We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering law enforcement officers and our people.”

Needless to say, Republican supporters of the measure were not pleased with Gov. Stein’s veto of the measure.

“Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to exercise their Second Amendment rights effectively,” Senate Leader Phil Berger told The News & Observer. “It’s past time for us to join the majority of states that recognize Constitutional Carry. I look forward to the Senate overriding Gov. Stein’s veto.”

Gun-ban groups, including Moms Demand Action, were, however, thrilled with the veto.

“Allowing people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public without a permit or training puts lives at risk,” said Shannon Klug, a volunteer with the North Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Governor Stein’s veto of permitless carry is a crucial step in keeping our communities safe. North Carolinians deserve to walk through our parks and grocery stores without the added fear of unvetted, concealed weapons around them. Thank you, Governor Stein, for prioritizing our safety over playing politics.”

Of course, an override of Gov. Stein’s veto is a possibility, but it would likely be difficult. North Carolina law requires a three-fifths majority vote in each chamber to override a gubernatorial veto.

A total of 72 votes are needed in the House to override the veto, and Republicans hold a 71-49 majority in that chamber. In the Senate, 30 votes would be needed to override the veto, and Republicans hold a 30-20 majority. So, for a veto override attempt to be successful, at least one Democrat in both the House and Senate would have to vote for the override, in addition to all Republicans.

On June 11, the House voted 59-48 in favor of the measure, but the vote wasn’t exactly along party lines. Two Republicans—Rep. Ted Davis of New Hanover and Rep. William Brisson of Bladen and Sampson Counties voted against constitutional carry. Additionally, 10 other Republicans abstained.

The Senate approved the bill on a partisan, 26-18 vote, with all Republicans voting “yes” and all Democrats voting “no.” Six members were absent.