March 12, 2025 (RALEIGH) – Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC) State Chair Ryan Brown will deliver the Libertarian viewpoint on the current state of politics in North Carolina, following the Democratic State of the State and the Republican response this evening. Brown’s remarks will offer a principled Libertarian perspective on the issues facing North Carolinians, challenging the status quo of the two-party system.

by: Ryan Brown, LPNC Chair

During the first week of the North Carolina General Assembly session there were a significant number of bills filed. I took a look at a few of them and will rate them, according to our platform and beliefs. If you guys like this type of article, let us know and we’ll keep it up. Today we’re going to keep it short and do a quick writeup on five bills: HB5, HB9, HB11, HB14, and HB28.

Guns

First up, there were three gun-related bills, two of which were pretty good, and one not great, or superfluous, at best. 

First up was HB 5 - NC Constitutional Carry Act introduced by Representative Keith Kidwell (REP) and sponsored by another two dozen representatives. Overall, it is a good bill but still includes some disappointing things. It keeps the requirement to notify officers you’re carrying and provide an ID. If not, you’re guilty of a crime. It keeps the stipulation that you are committing a crime if you are carrying and have a single drink out at dinner with your family. And it fails to lift the ban on students or visitors carrying or owning a weapon on college campuses. Regardless, we’d support passage of this bill. On net, it is a reduction of gun laws in North Carolina.

Next, we have HB 9 - Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance, also introduced by Representative Keith Kidwell (REP). This bill seems like a response to local governments trying to mandate how people are allowed to exercise their right to self-defense on their own property. This is a short and clear bill restricting local governments and protecting property rights. We strongly support this bill.

Finally, HB28. The Gun Violence Prevention Act was introduced by Representative Jennifer Balkcom (REP). While the intentions of this act seem good, it has no provisions to actually try and prevent gun violence. All the act does is make it extra illegal for people to commit crimes with a gun. North Carolina needs fewer gun laws. Making crime extra illegal isn’t going to help anyone.

Go to the Liberty and Legislation page to read our reaction to the bills concerning taxes.

NCGA’s Electoral “Reforms” Cheat Independent Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 26, 2024 (RALEIGH) – The Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC) Chair Ryan Brown today criticized changes to election law included a bill passed by the NC General Assembly last week as “blatantly unfair” to independent voters.

“There are more independent voters in North Carolina than registered Democrats or Republicans,” stated Brown. “But it is still impossible to appoint an independent voter to the Board of Elections.”

The NC Board of Elections (NCSBE) makes important decisions, including determining which political parties are officially recognized to nominate candidates for office, selecting which voting machines can be used in NC, collecting and reviewing campaign finance reports, specifying what types of photo IDs can be used to vote, resolving voting and candidate eligibility issues, and certifying elections.

“Denying 38 percent of the electorate any say in these important electoral decisions is blatantly unfair,” Brown continued. “The NCGA took up consideration of this law last week, but instead of fixing the problem, all they did was transfer the power to cheat independent voters from the governor to the state auditor.”