We’re reaching out to share an update on the bills we’ve been emailing you about, and what you can do next to keep them from becoming law.

This year, NC Republicans have filed FIVE incredibly dangerous bills that put our communities and schools at risk. Three bills weaken or remove concealed carry permit requirements, and two allow concealed carry in private schools. Below is the Bad Bills Briefing, followed by actions you can take:

Bad bills briefing:

SB 50¹ would allow Permitless Concealed Carry. This bill passed the NC Senate and is now in the House Rules Committee. It would do away with concealed carry requirements, making it legal for 18-year-olds with no training and no background check to carry hidden, loaded weapons in public.
HB 5², the House’s version of Permitless Carry, did not pass the House prior to last Thursday, a deadline called “Crossover”, so it’s considered dead through 2026. THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!! If you emailed your lawmakers, phone banked with us, let a friend know, or shared our social media posts about this, YOU helped keep this bill from passing the House! Our next task is to keep SB 50 from passing in the House, too.
Senate Bill 280³ and House Bill 193⁴would both allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons in private NC schools, with the school’s permission. SB 280 passed the Senate and is in a House committee. HB 193 passed the House and is in a Senate committee.
House Bill 674⁵ would allow a lifetime concealed carry permit, which would remove the 5-year renewal background check to make sure people carrying concealed are safe people to do so. It passed the House and is now in a Senate committee.

And here are ways you can help prevent these bills from becoming law - which one(s) can you do?

Phone bank with us to help educate voters about harmful legislation and motivate them to take action!
Reach out to our organizing director, Sara Smith, to use your unique voice to speak your mind on these policy proposals. Whether you prefer to write a letter to the editor (see this great one from NCGV Action Board President John Miller!), speak to the media, or record a video for social media, we’re here to help!

What else are we doing to stop these bills, and advocate for safe communities?

Press event: This week, Becky organized a press event, sounding the alarm about the 4 dangerous bills that have passed either the House or the Senate, and could become law anytime through the end of 2026. Check out this article where Ahoskie Mayor Weyling White says of SB 50: “This bill will single-handedly help penetrate the wall of security that we have built to help keep our residents safe." We're grateful to the volunteers and partners who joined Mayor White’s voice at this event: Minister Charles Robinson; Sue Duncan, retired school teacher; and Spencer Myers, Giffords State & Local Policy Attorney.
This past Monday, new grassroots organizer Adon Bermudez-Bey organized a group of volunteers to advocate for funding for the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention at the Charlotte City Council meeting. If you live in Mecklenburg County, email Adon about plans for the May 22nd Mecklenburg County budget hearing.

Thank you for fighting with us for safer communities in North Carolina!

Yours in this fight,

Becky, Sara, and Adon

References:
1. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/S50

2. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H5

3. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/s280
4. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H193
5. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H674