HB 1108 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the right to carry firearms in North Carolina by removing the existing constitutional language that expressly permits the General Assembly to prohibit concealed weapons. The bill would rewrite Article I, Section 30 to state that a citizen who has not been indicted or convicted of a violent crime or a controlled-substance offense, and who has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent, has the right to carry any legal weapon for self-defense, openly or concealed, with or without a permit, subject to restrictions on posted public or private property.
The measure also preserves a concealed-carry permitting system, but only for reciprocity with other states and for ease of purchasing weapons, making clear that law-abiding citizens could not be required to obtain a permit to carry concealed. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it would not take effect directly through ordinary legislation; instead, it would be submitted to voters at the November 3, 2026 general election. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would become effective upon certification of the election results.
If adopted by voters, HB 1108 would change the North Carolina Constitution and limit the General Assembly’s authority to ban concealed carry as a general matter. It would affect state firearms policy, concealed-carry permitting, reciprocity arrangements with other states, and the legal standards governing who may carry weapons for self-defense. The bill would also preserve property-owner posting rules and maintain disqualifications tied to violent crimes, controlled-substance offenses, and mental incompetence.
Based on the bill text and the absence of committee debate or recorded votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed by its sponsors as a pro–Second Amendment proposal intended to equalize open and concealed carry rights. The bill’s language suggests strong support among its sponsors for broader carry rights and reduced permitting requirements. No contrary sentiment is documented in the provided record, but the proposal is the kind of firearms measure that typically draws polarized reactions.
The main point of contention is likely the elimination of the constitutional basis for prohibiting concealed weapons and the shift to permitless concealed carry. Supporters would view the bill as protecting self-defense rights and removing a barrier for lawful gun owners, while opponents may argue it weakens public-safety tools, reduces screening through permitting, and expands concealed carry in public spaces. The bill also leaves room for debate over the retained permit system for reciprocity and whether the proposed eligibility limits are sufficient.