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Bill

SB 815

Const. Amend./Permitless Carry.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Danny Britt and 3 co-sponsors

Expands gun rights by recognizing an individual right to carry any legal weapon for self-defense with or without a permit, while allowing posted-property restrictions.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 815

Summary of NC Senate Bill SB 815 (Session 2025)

Quick overview

  • Title: Const. Amend./Permitless Carry
  • Purpose: To equalize open carry and concealed carry of defensive weapons by removing the prohibition on concealed carry and affirming the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense.
  • Status: Filed April 21, 2026; referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate after first reading; prior action shows sequencing for a constitutional amendment referendum in the 2026 general election.

What the bill would do

1) Constitutional amendment to expand gun rights

  • The bill rewrites Section 30 of Article I of the North Carolina Constitution to establish the right of the people to keep and bear arms for self-defense, with or without a permit.
  • Key elements of the proposed amendment:
    • Abolishes the explicit prohibition on carrying concealed weapons.
    • States that a citizen may carry any legal weapon for self-defense, openly or concealed, with or without a permit.
    • Sets conditions for eligibility to carry (based on typical “no violent crime indictment/conviction” and “no mental incompetence” criteria), and notes exceptions for posting on property.
    • Establishes that a permitting system for concealed carry may exist for reciprocity with other states and for ease of purchasing weapons, but no law-abiding citizen would be required to obtain a concealed carry permit.

2) Referendum to decide the amendment

  • Section 2 directs a statewide referendum at the November 3, 2026 general election.
  • Ballot language to be used:
    • “Constitutional amendment to make it a right for any citizen who has not been indicted or convicted of a violent crime to carry any legal weapon for self-defense, either openly or concealed, with or without a permit, except on public or private property that is legally posted against it.”
  • Section 3-4 specify the certification process and the effective date if approved.

Who/what is affected

  • Primary effect: The constitutional change would recognize and protect a broad right to carry firearms for self-defense, with or without a permit, for many adult citizens (subject to standard eligibility restrictions for violent crime, felony substance distribution, and mental incompetence, as drafted).
  • Permitting framework: A system for concealed carry permits could continue or be established for reciprocity with other states and convenience in purchasing, but carrying would not be contingent on obtaining a permit.
  • Public and private property: Carry could be restricted on properties where posting prohibitions exist.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduction/filing: April 21, 2026.
  • Legislative action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate as of April 22, 2026; passed first reading on that date.
  • Voter action: Referendum scheduled for the November 3, 2026 general election, under the state’s election laws.
  • Certification: If approved, results certified by the State Board of Elections; Secretary of State to enroll the amendment in permanent records; effective date upon certification.

Potential impact considerations (no political bias)

  • Civil rights/Second Amendment alignment: Expands gun-rights protections by recognizing an affirmative right to carry for self-defense, with fewer prerequisites than current permit-based regimes.
  • Public safety/compliance: Introduction of a potential permitting framework for reciprocity, but without mandatory permits for law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons.
  • Property restrictions: Maintains ability to prohibit carrying on posted public or private property, consistent with existing enforcement mechanisms.
  • Implementation: If the amendment passes, law and administrative rules would need to implement any accompanying permitting structure and clarify eligibility, enforcement, and reciprocity details.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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