Opposition Grows for HB 5/SB 50 as Leaders from North Carolina’s Faith Communities Pen Letter to Lawmakers Against Dangerous Permitless Carry Bills

More Than One Hundred Faith Leaders Called on Lawmakers to Oppose This Life-Threatening Legislation

RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, faith leaders from across North Carolina held a press conference to oppose dangerous, gun lobby-backed legislation to allow permitless carry in the state. HB 5/SB 50 would allow people as young as 18 years old to carry concealed handguns in public without a permit—effectively eliminating all safeguards put in place by the current permitting system, including a background check, safety training, and live-fire training. At the press conference, Reverend Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, announced a letter to state lawmakers signed by over 100 faith leaders. The letter urges lawmakers to oppose permitless carry legislation, warning that such laws could lead to more gun deaths and cause lasting harm to their communities.

“These faith leaders recognize the dignity of every human life—lives that are put at risk when gun safety laws are rolled back,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We’re proud to stand alongside these trusted community voices who are speaking out for the safety of North Carolina families, the majority of whom oppose this reckless push to eliminate the permitting system. Lawmakers need to understand that a vote for this bill is a vote for preventable tragedy.”

“I am not in favor of taking away guns. I am in favor of applying the same rules to guns that we apply to every other industry where danger is involved. I do not understand why we would not require basic, common-sense safety precautions around purchasing firearms, especially in this time of uncertainty and conflict in our world,” said State Representative and Baptist Minister Garland Pierce. “We can take the small step of creating common-sense safety procedures. I do not believe that House Bill 5 does this.”

“The prophet Micah foretold when he wrote, ‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid,’” said Rev. Laura Johnson, NC UMC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair and Moms Demand Action volunteer. “I urge our legislators to put the peace and well-being of our community first by working across the aisle to prevent the passage of these dangerous bills, so that all North Carolinians may live under their vines and fig trees without fearing for the lives of those they love.”

“Police officers train regularly to use their firearms. But they do not want congregants or visitors with firearms on our campus,” said Rabbi Eric Solomon, Beth Meyer Synagogue. “If, God forbid, an event occurred, they would not be able to distinguish between the shooter and a well-meaning but unprepared congregant. The only person using a gun in that setting should be the professional. Not someone who came to pray. The Jewish community has been through enormous trauma in recent months. Bills HB 5 and SB 50 do not give us comfort. They rub salt in our wounds.”

As North Carolina faith leaders have made clear, HB 5/SB 50 is dangerous legislation that will likely lead to more gun violence across our state—just as similar rollbacks of permitting laws have in other states. Between 1999 and 2021, states that removed concealed carry permit requirements saw gun homicides rise by 27 percent within three years—more than double the national increase. If HB 5/SB 50 passes, North Carolinians will face greater threats to their safety.

The vast majority of Americans and North Carolinians—3 in 4—oppose permitless carry, including gun owners and Republicans. Yet, lawmakers continue to push this reckless legislation, ignoring the will of the people and endangering communities.

The last thing North Carolina needs is weaker gun laws. More guns in more places mean everyday confrontations—on the road, in bars, in parking lots—can escalate into deadly gun violence. Instead of protecting public safety, HB 5/SB 50 puts communities at greater risk.

Elected officials must listen to faith and community leaders, who have seen firsthand the devastation of gun violence on communities, and overwhelmingly agree: these bills threaten the safety of North Carolinians. Protecting our communities requires bipartisan leadership and responsible gun policies—not reckless legislation that floods our streets with more guns and strips away commonsense safeguards.

READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW: 

We write to you as representatives of North Carolina’s religious communities to express our concern over HB 5/SB 50, legislation that would dismantle North Carolina’s concealed carry permitting requirement. This legislation would allow people to carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit, background check, or safety training. Eliminating the permitting requirement would make it easy for people who shouldn’t have guns to carry concealed handguns in public in North Carolina. Evidence from other states shows that violence goes up when these types of laws are enacted—and that violence is an offense to our shared morality.

The majority of Americans, including North Carolinians, live in states that require permits for the concealed carry of handguns. Many of these states require a minimum standard of safety training. The vast majority of Americans and North Carolinians—3 in 4—oppose permitless carry, including gun owners and Republicans. We want to promote responsible gun ownership and North Carolina’s current concealed carry permitting system helps do that.

Permitless carry does not promote public safety; in fact, it is associated with increases in gun homicide and gun death rates. Research shows that states that removed concealed carry permit requirements between 1999 and 2021 saw, on average, a 27 percent increase in gun homicides within three years of the change. 

 We fear that if North Carolina removes the current concealed carry permit requirements, we are likely to see more gun violence and more gun deaths across the state.

The current requirements are not onerous. Obtaining a permit helps show that gun owners are responsible and conscientious enough to understand the power of their weapon and can control, carry and use it accordingly. Responsible governance and our collective safety demands that we do everything we can to make sure that those with weapons in public can be trusted with them.

As leaders in North Carolina’s faith communities, we are working on many ways to reduce gun violence. Churches and other houses of worship have held gun buybacks, mediated neighborhood disputes, held vigils and forums, and provided safe spaces for alternative programming. We are the ones who bury the dead, console survivors and preach non-violence and forgiveness. We know the toll of gun violence and suicide has taken and continues to take on our communities. We know these bills would make our job harder, not easier, and put our parishioners at greater risk, not make them safer.

Please oppose permitless carry and stand with us as we work to prevent any further loss of life. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Barker, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27615

Dr. John Clarkson, Interfaith Coalition for Gun Safety, Charlotte 28209

Dr. Steven Lyons, AME Church, Raleigh 27610

Dr. Joe B. Martin, Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte 28270

Dr. Josey Snyder, NC Conference of the United Methodist Church, Cary 27511

Dr. Piroska L. Szabo, West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Raleigh 27607

Dr. Gordon Whitaker, Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham 27514

Elder Sue McLaurin, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Durham 27713

Pastor Kennedy Gray, United Methodist Church, Lillington 27546

Pastor Jeffrey Ingold, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wilmington 28412

Pastor Melinda Ivey, United Methodist Church, Laurinburg 28352

Pastor Caroline Jinkins, Presbyterian Church (USA), Wrightsville Beach 28480

Pastor Mitzi Johnson, United Methodist Church, Southport 28461

Pastor Laure Kalau, United Methodist Church, Haw River 27258

Pastor Stuart Milton, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Carolina Beach 28428

Pastor John Petry, ELCA, Raleigh 27607

Pastor Susanne Priddy, United Methodist Church, North Carolina Conference, Wilmington 28411

Pastor Keith Sexton, United Methodist Church, Creedmoor 27522

Pastor Elizabeth Villegas, United Methodist Church, Wilmington 28429

Pastor Ramon Wycoff, Elizabeth United Methodist Church, Smithfield 27577

Rabbi Robin Damsky, Limitless Judaism, Efland 27243

Rabbi Eric Solomon, Beth Meyer Synagogue, Raleigh 27615

Retired Priest William Verdery Kerr, The Episcopal Church, Charlotte 28210

Rev. Marnie Alley, St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Fayetteville 28311

Rev. Ryan Atkinson, Davidson Presbyterian Church (USA), Charlotte 28269

Rev. Lindsay Ballance Collins, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Hillsborough 27278

Rev. Janet Baucom, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27607

Rev. Monica Beacham, Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cedar Grove 27231

Rev. Shawn Blackwelder, Genesis United Methodist Church, Cary 27513

Rev. Mary Bowman, Presbytery of Charlotte, Charlotte 28211

Rev. Kathy Randall Bryant, Summerfield Peace United Methodist Church, Summerfield 27358

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki, United Church of Christ, Charlotte 28269

Rev. Paula Clayton Dempsey, Alliance of Baptists, Mars Hill 28754

Rev. Frank Dew, Presbyterian Church (USA), Greensboro 27403

Rev. Aaron Doll, Presbyterian Church (USA), Wilmington 28412

Rev. Laura Dunlap, United Methodist Church, Hillsborough 27541

Rev. Diane Faires Beadle, St. Paul’s Christian Church, Raleigh 27612

Rev. Scott Foster, Fairmont United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27607

Rev. Amelia Fulbright, Congregational United Church of Christ, Greensboro 27403

Rev. Chris Furr, Covenant Christian Church, Cary 27511

Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Garner 27529

Rev. Tom Hallberg, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Hertford 27944

Rev. Julia Hayes, United Methodist Church, Wilmington 28480

Rev. Laura Heikes, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte 28226

Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito, Presbyterian Church USA, Charlotte 28277

Rev. Linda Higgins, United Church of Christ, Wilmington 28401

Rev. Kevin Johnson, Macedonia United Methodist Church, Cary 27518

Rev. Laura Johnson, Apex United Methodist Church, Apex 27502

Rev. Joy Kassas, Baptist, Seven Springs 28578

Rev. Becca Kuiken, First Presbyterian Raleigh, Raleigh 27612

Rev. Rachel Price Kwashe, United Methodist Church, Greenville 27858

Rev. Mattheue Locklear, The United Methodist Church, Pembroke 28372

Rev. Corine Mack, NAACP Charlotte- Mecklenburg Branch, Charlotte 28214

Rev. Sarah Majors, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27604

Rev. Ian Carr McPherson, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Raleigh 27705

Rev. Sung Moy, United Methodist Church, Cary 27513

Rev. Erin Pearce, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27614

Rev. Andrew Phillips, Grace Episcopal Church, Clayton 27528

Rev. Wil Posey, United Methodist Church, Murphy 28906

Rev. Eric Prenshaw, United Methodist Church, Durham 27707

Rev. Mick Raynor, Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, Durham 27701

Rev. Eric Reece, United Methodist Church, Robbinsville 28771

Rev. Amanda Rigby, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27529

Rev. Sharon Risher, Everytown Interfaith Council, Charlotte 28269

Rev. David Roberts, Watershed, Charlotte 28205

Rev. Cassidy Salter, United Methodist Church, Washington 27889

Rev. Remy Styers, United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem 27127

Rev. Gayle Tabor, United Methodist Church, Wilmington 28409

Rev. Barbara Thomas, United Church of Christ, Charlotte 28209

Rev. Anna Thornburg, First Cary United Methodist Church, Cary 27511

Rev. Donald Warren, The United Methodist Church, Fayetteville 28303

Rev. Justin Wells, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Southport 28461

Rev. Jaye White, Crossroads United Methodist Church, Fayetteville 28311

Rev. Ashley Will, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27614

Rev. Laura Wittman, United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount 27804

Rev. Paula Zabkar, Spiritual Soul Center, Wilmington 28412

Rev. Canon for Latino Ministries Franklin Morales, The Episcopal Church, Raleigh 27609

Rev. Dr. Jerry Barker, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27615

Rev. Dr. John Cleghorn, Caldwell Presbyterian Church, Charlotte 28204

Rev. Dr. Rose Cornelious, Pleasant Grove Church, Cary 27539

Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston, The Presbytery of Charlotte PCUSA, Charlotte 28205

Rev. Dr. Jasper W. Hemphill Jr., St. Paul AME Church, Mt. Airy 27030

Rev. Dr. Abdue Knox, Greater Bethel AME Church, Charlotte 28215

Rev. Dr. Jason Miller-Villegas, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Castle Hayne 28429

Rev. Dr. Amy Rio, United Methodist Church, Winston Salem 27101

Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation, Charlotte 28210

Rev. Dr. Allysen Schaaf, Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte 28270

Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, North Carolina Council of Churches, Fayetteville 28311

Rev. Dr. Scottie Stamper, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Charlotte 28105

Senior Bishop Jacquelyn Holland, Unity Fellowship Church Movement, Charlotte 28217

The Rev. Jill Beimdiek, The Episcopal Church, Durham 27703

The Rev. Constance Belmore, The Episcopal Church, High Point 26265

The Rev. Sonny Browne, The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, Roanoke Rapids 27870

The Rev. Claire Clyburn, United Methodist Church, Graham 27253

The Rev. Richard G. Elliott, The Episcopal Church, Diocese of East Carolina, Wilmington 28403

The Rev. Alex Fischer, Presbyterian Church (USA), Hillsborough 27278

The Rev. Caroline Jinkins, Presbyterian Church (USA), Wrightsville Beach 28480

The Rev. Jay Kennett, Hillsborough United Church of Christ, Hillsborough 27278

The Rev. Laura Fine Ledford, Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27608

The Rev. Christine Payden-Travers, The Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem 27127

The Rev. John Porter-Acee, The Episcopal Church, Greenville 27834

The Rev. Anita Taylor, North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, Fuquay Varina 27526

The Rev. Sara Wilcox, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ, Asheville 28805

The Rev. Deacon Kelly Ryan, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, Durham 27705

The Rev. Dr. Robert Spach, First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte 28202

The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman, Diocese of North Carolina, Raleigh 27615

Associate Pastor M. Blake Kendrick, Associate Pastor, Baptist, Charlotte 28211

Associate Pastor Kimberly Monteleone, Baptist, Charlotte 28211

Associate Rector Amanda Stephenson, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte 28202

Chaplain Wanda H. Hunt, United Church of Christ, Spruce Pine 26777

Clerk Michelle Downey, Fayetteville Friends Meeting, Fayetteville 28303

Director Anne Tambling, Catawba Clergy Network, Salisbury 27106

Director John Parker, Partnerships and Development, North Carolina Council of Churches, Raleigh 27607

Director Leah Wiebe-Smith, CLE, United Methodist Church, Raleigh 27615

Executive Director Jennifer Copeland, North Carolina Council of Churches, Raleigh 27607

Presiding Clerk Kathryn Adams, Jamestown Friends Meeting, Jamestown 27282

Steward Deborah Harrison, Queens Chapel Church, Burlington 27217

Trustee Willie Harrison, Queens Chapel Church, Burlington 27217

Alexa Adamo Valverde, Worship Associate, Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist, Chapel Hill 27514

Tanner Johnson, Youth Ministry Director, United Methodist Church, Apex 27502

Sharon Robinson, Illuminated Steps Forward, Inc., Charlotte 28269

Matthew Wong, Youth President, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Wilson 27896