Key Takeaways
HB 193 allows private and religious schools in North Carolina to approve trained, vetted adults to carry concealed firearms for campus safety.
The law requires a handgun permit, certified safety training, written authorization, and annual recertification.
Felony concealed carry convictions often cause permanent loss of gun rights under federal law.
Adoption is optional; schools choose whether to participate, and no staff member is required to carry.
Supporters say HB 193 strengthens school security by addressing weaknesses in gun-free zones.
The bill became law after the legislature overrode the Governor’s veto, highlighting strong support for local safety control.
Right To Bear provides training, guidance, and resources to help schools implement HB 193 safely and legally.
Well, it finally happened — North Carolina lawmakers did something right.
House Bill 193 just went into effect, and while the media’s busy panicking about guns in schools, here’s what the law actually does: it gives private and religious schools the freedom to protect their students by allowing trusted, trained adults to carry a concealed firearm.
And guess what? That’s not dangerous. That’s common sense.
Here’s What HB 193 Does — And Why It Matters
As of December 1st, 2025, private K–12 schools in North Carolina, including church-affiliated academies, can authorize specific employees or volunteers to carry concealed on school grounds.
Not everybody. Not just anyone walking in off the street. The law requires:
A valid concealed handgun permit
Completion of at least 8 hours of certified safety training
Written permission from school leadership
Annual re-certification and parent notification
This is not arming teachers at random. This is letting trained, vetted adults people who already serve our kids every day take personal responsibility for safety. And for once, the government is smart enough to get out of the way and let them.
Let’s Be Honest: Gun-Free Zones Don’t Work
You know what a gun-free zone really is?
A target.
Criminals don’t respect signs. Mass shooters don’t care about policies. They go where they won’t be stopped. And until now, North Carolina’s private schools especially church-based ones, had their hands tied.
They couldn’t protect themselves.
That changes now.
HB 193 empowers private institutions to make their own safety decisions based on their community’s needs, their values, and their people. That’s what liberty looks like.
Let’s Be Honest: Gun-Free Zones Don’t Work You know what a gun-free zone really is? A target.
Of Course, the Governor Tried to Stop It
Predictably, Governor Josh Stein vetoed the bill. He said it would make our children less safe. Same old tired playbook: twist the facts, fearmonger, and pretend that disarming the good guys keeps the bad guys out.
But thankfully, the General Assembly didn’t blink. They overrode the veto in July, and the bill became law. Score one for the Second Amendment. Score one for the people of North Carolina.
And Yes, the Anti-Gun Lobby Had a Melt Down
The usual suspects came out swinging. It’s dangerous! It’s reckless! Teachers shouldn’t have guns!
Let’s be clear: no one is forced to carry under this law. And no school is required to allow it. But now they have the option, and that terrifies people who think the government knows best.
Groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown act like a firearm is some sort of uncontrollable force of chaos. But the data and the reality say otherwise. Concealed carry permit holders are among the most law-abiding citizens in the country. You don’t get a permit if you’re unstable. You don’t keep one if you’re careless.
HB 193 is not reckless. It’s responsible.
A Blueprint for the Rest of the Country
What North Carolina just did isn’t radical. It’s smart. It’s measured. It’s proactive.
Other states should take notice.
Because this is how we get ahead of school violence: by trusting responsible adults, training them properly, and removing the barriers that keep good people helpless. Security isn’t just about budgets and buzzers; it’s about people who are ready and willing to stand in the gap if it ever comes to that.
And let’s pray it doesn’t.
But if evil shows up at a school door, let it be met with someone who’s trained, licensed, prepared and armed.
Right To Bear Stands With North Carolina
At Right To Bear, we’re not just celebrating this win, we’re building on it.
We’re developing curriculum to help North Carolina members complete the state’s new safety training requirements. We’re equipping private schools and church-based campuses with the legal knowledge and planning tools they need to implement this law the right way.
And we’re here, as always, to stand behind responsible gun owners with the protection, education, and resources they deserve.
Join us today. Because when it comes to your family, your school, and your freedom, you shouldn’t have to stand alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HB 193?
HB 193 is a new North Carolina law allowing private and religious K–12 schools to authorize specific, trained adults to carry a concealed firearm on school grounds beginning December 1, 2025.
Who is allowed to carry a firearm under this law?
Only individuals who hold a valid concealed handgun permit, complete at least 8 hours of certified training, receive written authorization from school leadership, and recertify annually. No one can carry without meeting every requirement.
Are teachers or staff required to carry firearms?
No. Participation is completely voluntary, and no school is obligated to adopt the policy.
Why do supporters say HB 193 increases safety?
Supporters argue that gun-free zones make schools vulnerable, concealed-carry permit holders are highly law-abiding, and allowing vetted adults to protect students improves preparedness and reduces response time in emergencies.
Why did the Governor veto HB 193, and what happened next?
Governor Josh Stein argued the bill would make schools less safe. The General Assembly disagreed and overrode the veto, making HB 193 law.
Are parents informed if their child’s school authorizes concealed carry?
Yes. Schools that implement the policy must notify parents annually.
Are private schools required to participate?
No. HB 193 gives private and church-affiliated schools the choice. Each institution decides based on its needs, values, and safety philosophy.
Could HB 193 influence other states’ policies?
Yes. Supporters see North Carolina’s law as a practical model that other states could adopt—one that balances training, accountability, parental notification, and local control.
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