North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed his first bills as governor: SB 50, Freedom to Carry NC; SB 153, North Carolina Border Protection Act; and HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.
He also voted HB 125, Revise Voluntary Ag. District Laws, into law.
SB 50: Freedom to Carry
The House passed SB 50 on June 11 along party lines in a 59-48 vote. The bill would allow individuals 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without a permit. If it were to be adopted, it would be the 30th state to do so.
All Democrats, as well as two Republicans — Reps. William Brisson, R-Bladen, and Ted Davis, R-New Hanover — voted against the bill.
Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort, praised the bill, noting it mirrors his own bill proposal that was introduced in the House earlier this year. The Senate passed its own version and sent it to the House for approval.
Stein, a Democrat, said the bill makes North Carolinians less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership, and that’s why he vetoed it.
“The bill eliminates training requirements associated with concealed carry permits and reduces the age to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years old,” he said in a press release. “Authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous. The bill would also make the job of a law enforcement officer more difficult and less safe. We can and should protect the right to bear arms without recklessly endangering law enforcement officers and our people.”
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood and Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead also spoke out against SB 50 and in favor of the governor’s veto.
Senate leader phil berger’s response to veto of SB 50
Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, commented on Stein’s veto of the bill that Berger co-sponsored.
“Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to effectively exercise their Second Amendment rights,” he said in a press release. “It’s past time for us to join the majority of states that recognize Constitutional Carry. I look forward to the Senate overriding Gov. Stein’s veto.”
SB 153: North carolina Border Protection act
Stein also said he vetoed SB 153, saying the bill would also make North Carolinians less safe.
It passed 26-17 on June 10, and mandates broad cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration authorities, and seeks to curb sanctuary city policies across the state.
“At a time when our law enforcement is already stretched thin, this bill takes state law enforcement officers away from their existing state duties and forces them to act as federal immigration agents,” he said. “Furthermore, under current law, people without lawful immigration status are already prevented from receiving Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8, and other benefits.”
Beyond law enforcement, SB 153 instructs state agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Employment Security to review public benefits distributed to unauthorized immigrants and ensure those benefits are curtailed where prohibited by law.
The bill also includes a provision to waive local government immunity for jurisdictions deemed “sanctuary” cities or counties, allowing private citizens to sue if they suffer harm as a result of illegal immigrant activity. Additionally, it bars UNC System campuses from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“Holding Sanctuary Cities accountable for their disregard of public safety will bring peace of mind to North Carolinians,” Senate Bill 153 sponsor Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, said. “We cannot have safe communities if elected officials are openly flouting state laws to earn political clout.”
Berger also comments on sb 153 veto
Berger also commented on Stein’s veto of the bill that Berger sponsored.
“Today, Gov. Stein proved where his allegiances are,” he said in a press release. “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. I look forward to the Senate overriding his veto.”
Hb 318: The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.
House Bill 318 compels law enforcement agencies to honor detainer requests from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. When an undocumented individual is arrested and ICE issues a detainer, local officials must hold the person for up to 48 hours to allow for federal pickup.
The legislation prohibits local governments from adopting sanctuary policies and introduces penalties — including potential loss of state funding — for noncompliance. Additionally, it requires jail administrators to notify ICE when they reasonably believe someone in custody is unlawfully present in the United States, even if a detainer has not yet been issued.
One Democrat voted for the original HB 318 in the House; Rep. Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, broke with Democrat House members and voted ‘yes.’
Stein said while he vetoed HB 318 because he believes it is unconstitutional, he does support the bill’s efforts to require sheriffs to contact federal immigration authorities about people in their custody charged with sexual battery, armed robbery, arson, assault on public officials and court personnel, and other dangerous crimes.
“People who commit these crimes should be held accountable, whether or not they are here without legal authorization, and those charged with serious offenses ought to receive increased scrutiny from federal immigration officials.”
But he said his oath of office requires that he uphold the Constitution of the United States.
“Therefore, I cannot sign this bill because it would require sheriffs to unconstitutionally detain people for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released,” he said. “The Fourth Circuit is clear that local law enforcement officers cannot keep people in custody solely based on a suspected immigration violation. But let me be clear: anyone who commits a serious crime in North Carolina must be prosecuted and held accountable regardless of their immigration status.”
Guilford County Sheriff Danny H. Rogers, and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough were among those to speak out against both bills and being in favor of Stein’s vetoes.
House speaker Destin Hall comments on the veto of HB 318
House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell commented on Stein’s veto of the bill.
“Governor Stein has made one thing clear today: he stands with criminal illegal aliens and the most radical elements of his party’s base over the safety and security of North Carolinians,” he said in a press release. “Make no mistake, the NC House will override the Governor’s veto at the earliest opportunity.”
republicans may have hard time overriding vetoes
Republican leadership would need to secure a three-fifths majority in both chambers to override — a task that was easier during the last session when both chambers held supermajorities.
Senate Republicans hold a supermajority, but House Republicans are one seat short. Any override effort will require unified attendance and may hinge on attendance numbers.
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