The new bill filed by State Rep. Keith Kidwell seeks to amend North Carolina’s constitution to broaden legal weapon carry rights for eligible citizens, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1108 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Const. Amend./Permitless Carry.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill proposes a North Carolina constitutional amendment that would grant any U.S. citizen who has not been indicted or convicted of a violent crime or certain drug offenses and not been found mentally incompetent the right to carry any legal weapon for self-defense, openly or concealed, with or without a permit, except where property is legally posted against it. It would keep a permit system for reciprocity with other states and firearm purchases but bar requiring a permit for concealed carry by law-abiding citizens. The amendment would appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot and take effect upon certification if approved by voters.
A related bill, SB 815, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Timothy D. Moffitt (and two others) on April 21, 2026.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Kidwell proposed the most bills (32) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Kidwell graduated from William Paterson University with a BA.
Kidwell, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 79th House district, replacing previous state representative Julia Howard.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Jay Adams, and Joseph Pike | HB 1108 | 04/29/2026 | Const. Amend./Permitless Carry. |
| Keith Kidwell, Jay Adams, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 821 | 04/08/2025 | Drivers License Expiration Moratorium. |
| Keith Kidwell and Ben T. Moss, Jr. | HB 804 | 04/07/2025 | Human Life Protection Act of 2025. |
| Keith Kidwell, Blair Eddins, Carson Smith, and Jay Adams | HB 674 | 04/01/2025 | The Firearms Liberty Act. |
| Keith Kidwell and Steve Tyson | HB 524 | 03/26/2025 | Fraud Detection Alert System. |
| Keith Kidwell, Brenden H. Jones, John A. Torbett, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 549 | 03/26/2025 | Clarify Powers of State Auditor. |
| Keith Kidwell, Brian Biggs, Brian Echevarria, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 470 | 03/20/2025 | The Second Amendment Protection Act. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, and Joseph Pike | HB 427 | 03/18/2025 | CCW Permit/No Records Provided. |
| Keith Kidwell, Bill Ward, and Joseph Pike | HB 439 | 03/18/2025 | Allow Concealed Carry of Knife. |
| Keith Kidwell, Carla D. Cunningham, Dean Arp, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 451 | 03/18/2025 | Diabetes Education for Parents. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., and Joseph Pike | HB 454 | 03/18/2025 | Review of Federal Acts/Rules/Regulations. |
| Keith Kidwell, Bill Ward, and Joseph Pike | HB 455 | 03/18/2025 | Repeal Certificate of Need Laws. |
| Keith Kidwell, Carson Smith, Jay Adams, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 234 | 02/26/2025 | Little Federal Model NC Edition. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., and Bill Ward | HB 236 | 02/26/2025 | Remember 9/11 with Freedom Flag. |
| Keith Kidwell and Sarah Stevens | HB 188 | 02/24/2025 | Automatic Renewal of Contracts. |
| Keith Kidwell, Bill Ward, Donnie Loftis, and Neal Jackson | HB 162 | 02/21/2025 | Local Gov’t Applicants/Criminal History Check. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Carla D. Cunningham, and Dennis Riddell | HB 107 | 02/12/2025 | Adopt SUDEP Awareness Week. |
| Keith Kidwell, Brian Echevarria, Eric Ager, and Mike Clampitt | HB 108 | 02/12/2025 | The Sober Operator Act of 2025. |
| Keith Kidwell, Blair Eddins, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Wyatt Gable | HB 98 | 02/11/2025 | Patriotism Expression Act. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Blair Eddins, and Wyatt Gable | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., and Bill Ward | HB 73 | 02/10/2025 | Energy Security Act of 2025. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, and Diane Wheatley | HB 85 | 02/10/2025 | Removal of Precinct Officials. |
| Keith Kidwell, Jonathan L. Almond, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 89 | 02/10/2025 | University Vaccination Freedom Act. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Diane Wheatley, and Jay Adams | HB 95 | 02/10/2025 | Threaten Elected Official/Increase Punishment. |
| Keith Kidwell, Paul Scott, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 66 | 02/05/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period. |
| Keith Kidwell, Erin Paré, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson | HB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Gambling Loss Tax Deduct, NC Sound Money Act. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, and Joseph Pike | HB 16 | 01/29/2025 | General Assembly: In God We Trust – Display. |
| Keith Kidwell, Brian Biggs, Celeste C. Cairns, and Erin ParĂ© | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Brian Echevarria, and Jay Adams | HB 5 | 01/29/2025 | NC Constitutional Carry Act. |
| Keith Kidwell | HB 6 | 01/29/2025 | Pamlico Co. Muni. Even-Yr. Elect. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Celeste C. Cairns, and David Willis | HB 7 | 01/29/2025 | NC REACH Act. |
| Keith Kidwell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Joseph Pike | HB 9 | 01/29/2025 | Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance. |
