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HB 5

NC Constitutional Carry Act.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Jay Adams and 24 co-sponsors

Allows most adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit in NC, while preserving a permit system for reciprocity and other uses.

Reptd Fav Com Substitute
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5

Summary — HB 5: “NC Constitutional Carry Act” (Committee Substitute)

Status: Reported Favorably as Committee Substitute (Reptd Fav Com Substitute). Introduced Jan 29, 2025; committee substitute reported Mar 19, 2025.

Main purpose

To allow most adults to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina without first obtaining a concealed-carry permit (a “constitutional carry” law), while retaining an optional permit program for reciprocity and other purposes.

Key provisions

  • New Article 54C (carrying concealed handguns)
    • § 14‑415.35 — Permitless carry:
    • Any U.S. citizen age 18 or older may carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina unless otherwise disqualified by law.
    • Lists categories of persons who are prohibited from carrying concealed (examples include: persons ineligible under state or federal law to possess firearms; persons under felony indictment or with felony convictions except as restored; fugitives; unlawful users of controlled substances; certain mental-health adjudications; dishonorable military discharge; specified recent misdemeanor violent convictions; persons on bond for qualifying crimes; recent impaired‑driving convictions, etc.).
    • When carrying, a person must carry valid identification and must disclose to a law‑enforcement officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun when approached or addressed; the person must display ID on request.
    • Violations: carrying while disqualified is a criminal offense; failure to disclose/display as required is treated as an infraction.
    • § 14‑415.36 — Places where concealed carry remains unlawful:
    • Federally prohibited areas (18 U.S.C. §922), law‑enforcement or correctional facilities, areas prohibited by state rule, and private premises where the owner posts notice prohibiting concealed handguns. Violation may be an infraction (fine up to $500 in the committee substitute).
  • Amendment to G.S. 14‑269 clarifies scope of concealed-weapon prohibitions and harmonizes definitions (firearm carve‑outs, defenses, and penalty structure).
  • § 14‑415.10A — Purpose statement: State will continue to offer a concealed‑handgun permit system for reciprocity, firearm purchase facilitation, or other reasons despite authorizing permitless carry.

Who is affected

  • Individuals (residents and visitors) age 18+ who are legally eligible to possess firearms.
  • Law enforcement (encounter procedures; training and enforcement).
  • Sheriffs and agencies that administer the voluntary permit program.
  • Private property owners, employers, and public facilities (can restrict concealed carry by posting).
  • Courts and prosecutors (charging/penalty guidance).

Enforcement, penalties & exceptions

  • Disqualifying criteria are extensive and echo many current statutory restrictions on firearm possession.
  • Persons approached by law enforcement must disclose carrying and produce ID; failure to do so is an infraction.
  • Specified locations (federal areas, law‑enforcement/correctional facilities, posted private property) remain off‑limits.
  • The committee substitute sets misdemeanor or infraction penalties for violations; the bill amends existing statutory penalty classifications to align with the new framework.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 29, 2025. Committee substitute reported favorably Mar 19, 2025 (committee report adopted).
  • As of the committee substitute report, bill awaits further floor action and final disposition. (Check current legislative calendar for latest status.)

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Likely increases the number of people legally carrying concealed handguns (removes permit requirement for eligible persons).
  • Law-enforcement contacts may require revised protocols (disclosure requirement, verification of disqualifiers).
  • Preserves the permit system to enable interstate reciprocity and administrative uses.
  • Property owners and agencies retain ability to restrict concealed carry on their premises by posting.
  • Public-safety, administrative, and litigation impacts could follow as the law is implemented and interpreted.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact disqualifying categories and penalty classes from the current committee substitute and present them in a table.
- Track subsequent legislative actions and provide an updated status when available.

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

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