North Carolina Sen. Settle’s concealed handgun permit bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Eddie D. Settle aims to amend laws to allow concealed handgun carry without a permit for those 18 and older while maintaining specific restrictions and penalties. Settle’s legislation seeks to clarify conditions for carrying weapons in public and government buildings, including prohibitions and penalties for violations, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 59 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 46 Democrats and two Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 26 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 18 Democrats voted against it.

Settle filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on Feb. 4 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 50, was passed on June 11 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Freedom to Carry NC.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends existing North Carolina laws to allow individuals aged 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, while still permitting people to acquire a permit for reciprocity or other reasons. It delineates specific conditions under which carrying is prohibited, such as in certain public and governmental buildings and facilities where signs prohibiting weapons are posted. The bill also outlines regulations on carrying while consuming alcohol or on educational property, maintains existing prohibitions for specific offences, and sets penalties for violations, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. It takes effect Dec. 1, 2025, and does not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before that date.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Warren Daniel (Republican-46th District), Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (Republican-24th District), and Sen. Eddie D. Settle (Republican-36th District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Settle graduated from Wilkes Community College in 1979 with an AA.

Settle, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 36th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Paul Newton.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.