Putting his party’s priorities on full display, a Democrat governor has put his pen to use by trampling on Second Amendment rights.
Specifically, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein vetoed legislation that would have allowed law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms without government permission.
His decision effectively blocks a bill that would have aligned North Carolina with 29 other states that respect constitutional carry.
Senate Bill 50, co-sponsored by Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, aimed to eliminate the cumbersome permit process.
This includes forcing North Carolinians to pay an $80 fee, undergo background checks, and pass tests on shooting accuracy and legal knowledge.
The bill would have lowered the age requirement from 21 to 18, recognizing that all adult citizens deserve equal protection under the Constitution.
Stein defended his veto by claiming the bill would make North Carolinians “less safe.”
“This bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership,” Stein stated.
He added, “Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous.”
Senate Leader Phil Berger strongly defended the bill, highlighting the unnecessary burdens placed on law-abiding citizens.
Republicans maintain that the current permitting process creates obstacles that effectively infringe on their rights.
“Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to effectively exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Berger.
Republicans plan to pursue a veto override, which requires a majority vote in both chambers.
While the GOP maintains a one-vote supermajority in the Senate, Democrats recently broke the Republican supermajority in the House, making the override more challenging but still possible with bipartisan support.
The permitless carry bill was not Stein’s only attack on conservative priorities.
At the same time, he vetoed two immigration enforcement bills that would have enhanced public safety.
The measures would have strengthened cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, including one that would require sheriffs to detain individuals for up to 48 hours based on suspected immigration violations.
Berger did not mince words about Stein’s priorities, accusing the governor of prioritizing radical interests over North Carolinians’ safety.
“Gov. Stein proved where his allegiances are. He’d rather prioritize his far-left donors and their dangerous open-border policies over the citizens of North Carolina who are desperately pleading for us to put an end to the illegal immigration crisis,” Berger stated.
House Speaker Destin Hall similarly criticized Stein’s decision, suggesting it demonstrated a preference for radical elements over protecting North Carolina citizens.
These vetoes mark Stein’s first since taking office, setting a concerning precedent for his administration’s approach to constitutional rights and public safety.
The fight for constitutional carry in North Carolina comes as nearly two-thirds of states already recognize this right.
North Carolina would be one of the last Southeastern states to adopt such legislation, highlighting how the state lags behind its neighbors in protecting Second Amendment freedoms.
