NC bill allowing firearms in private schools passes House, goes to Gov. Stein

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following video is after NC House pushed through the second of 3 readings of House Bill 193 back in May.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The General Assembly had a busy day Thursday morning with the passage of House Bill 193, which eases firearm restrictions in private schools.

The Firearm Law Revisions passed in the House 61 to 46. The new bill now goes to Governor Josh Stein, who will then sign the revision into the existing gun laws.

A controversial gun bill known as the Freedom to Carry NC passed a little over two weeks ago, allowing people as young as 18 to carry a gun without a permit in the state, showing a sign that lawmakers are looking to ease gun restrictions in the state. Governor Stein vetoed that bill on Friday, sending it back to the Senate.

This bill is a little different in that it requires people to get permission from school leaders and have a valid concealed carry permit to have a gun on school grounds. While that alludes to the idea that teachers, parents and school administration would be able to tote a firearm in school, the bill technically does not limit the armed to just them.

The bill was passed along with another controversial bill that addresses DEI, House Bill 171, making state agency hiring strictly merit-based. Thursday is the last day of General Assembly sessions to get bills to the Governor.