Return America
This report looks primarily at House Bill 193 – Firearm Law Revisions, a landmark piece of legislation passed during the final week of North Carolina’s Long Legislative Session – one of profound interest to Return America supporters. The bill would allow designated individuals to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of private and Christian schools under certain circumstances, offering them a means of defense in an increasingly dangerous world.
In addition to HB 193, the General Assembly considered and passed several other measures this week that touch on significant moral concerns. While the legislature has now adjourned from its regular business and entered a period of skeletal sessions – intended mainly for vetoes, urgent matters, or administrative actions – the decisions made in these closing days of the Long Session are far-reaching. They could influence public policy across North Carolina for months, perhaps years.
A focused report on HB 193 follows, followed by a summary of additional legislative developments from the past week – each relevant to the values we seek to uphold through Return America’s ongoing mission.
NC General Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Armed Security at Private and Christian Schools
Bill Now Sent to Governor’s Desk for Consideration
In a move hailed by conservative advocates as a step toward securing faith-based schools, the North Carolina General Assembly on Thursday passed House Bill 193 – Firearm Law Revisions, which authorizes certain individuals to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of private and Christian K–12 schools under specific conditions. The bill now awaits action from Governor Josh Stein.
HB 193 allows school staff, volunteers, or others to carry concealed handguns or stun guns on school grounds, provided they have a valid concealed handgun permit (or are exempt by law), have written authorization from school leadership, and the school has not posted signage prohibiting weapons.
Supporters of the bill say it offers a critical layer of protection for institutions that often lack the funding to hire full-time school resource officers. “This bill creates a cost-effective means of defense,” said Rep. Jeff McNeely (R-Iredell), a primary sponsor. “It gives these schools some layer of protection … until law enforcement can get there.”
The legislation, inspired in part by the 2023 shooting at The Covenant School – a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, aims to ensure that North Carolina’s private schools are not left vulnerable. “That situation can happen here if we don’t address this,” warned Sen. Buck Newton (R-Greene) during debate on the bill.
Dr. Mark Creech, Director of Government Relations for Return America, lobbied lawmakers to support the measure. “To those who may feel uneasy about this bill, concerned that a trained, concealed-carry staff member still might mishandle a firearm or that a child might somehow gain access, those are understandable concerns,” Creech said. “But they pale in comparison to the horrifying, ever-present threat of a mass shooter walking into a school unchecked and unleashing carnage.”
Creech pointed to recent tragic events to underscore the urgency. “Last year, that horror became reality at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. Just yesterday, a mass shooting was attempted at a church in Michigan.”
He continued, “This bill is not about promoting a gun culture. These private and Christian schools are not asking for public funding or mandates. They are simply asking for freedom – the freedom to protect themselves – a freedom many cannot afford financially, nor does the current law allow. Right now, they are soft targets. That needs to change. I know these school leaders. They pray they never have to use such a shield. But it ought to be there – God forbid – if the day ever comes when they must.”
Return America, a longtime proponent of this legislation, celebrated its passage as a major milestone.
“For years, Return America has worked diligently to get this bill passed into law, and today we rejoice over this accomplishment,” said Dr. Ron Baity, President of Return America, in a message to supporters. “I cannot at this time go into details other than to say that Return America played a vital role in implementing today’s victory. Most importantly, we want to thank our Dear Lord for moving in a powerful way to help us achieve this great victory.”
The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Josh Stein, who has not yet indicated whether he will sign or veto the measure. Under North Carolina law, the Governor has 10 days (including weekends, beginning the day after the bill is presented) to take action while the legislature is in session. If he neither signs nor vetoes it within that period, the bill becomes law automatically.
However, since the General Assembly has now adjourned its long session and moved into a skeletal calendar, the timeline could shift. If the legislature is adjourned for more than 30 days, the Governor has 30 days to act. If no action is taken during that window, the bill becomes law by default.
Should Governor Stein veto the bill, he must return it to the chamber where it originated along with a written veto message. Both the House and Senate would then need to override the veto with a three-fifths majority of members present and voting in each chamber.
As North Carolina’s faith-based education leaders and parents await the Governor’s decision, supporters of HB 193 are hopeful that the measure will become law – either by signature or override – ensuring that private and Christian schools are no longer left defenseless in a world of increasing threats.
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Dr. Baity, has encouraged Return America supporters to call the Governor’s office, and graciously urge him to sign the measure. “I would like to encourage you to call Governor Josh Stein’s office immediately and encourage him to sign HB 193 into law, which will provide legal protection for faculty and students in our Christian schools,” said Dr. Baity.
Other Bills of Concern to Return America Acted Upon This Week
SB 442 – Parents Protection Act is a law intended to safeguard parents, guardians, and adoptive or foster caregivers in North Carolina who choose to raise children according to their biological sex. Specifically, the bill amends child abuse statutes – both misdemeanor and felony – to clarify that a parent’s decision to refer to a child by their birth sex or make related medical and mental health choices based on biological sex cannot be considered abuse or neglect. It further prohibits adoption or foster care agencies from denying or delaying placements based on a family’s refusal to support gender-transition interventions. The law also ensures that courts and social services cannot file abuse petitions solely for those acts. Passed this week by the Senate in a 28-19 vote and later concurred in the House, SB 442 was formally enrolled and sent to Governor Stein on June 25, 2025, where it awaits his decision to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without his signature.
HB 805 – Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors Act began as a bipartisan initiative to combat online pornography and human trafficking, requiring age verification, consent, and removal mechanisms for non-consensual images. It passed the House unanimously in May. During Senate consideration, the bill was significantly expanded to include a suite of cultural and parental rights provisions: it legally defines biological sex as strictly male or female; bars the use of public funds for gender-transition treatments in state prisons; allows lawsuits up to ten years after gender-transition procedures; mandates maintaining original birth certificates for transgender individuals; permits students to be excused from classroom activities or readings that conflict with their religious beliefs; and requires school library catalogs be published online with parental opt-out authority on book checkouts. The Senate approved the amended bill on June 24 by a 27–4 vote amid intense debate over whether these additions were germane to the bill’s original purpose. The House concurred on June 25 by a 65–43 vote, and the bill was officially enrolled and sent to Governor Stein on June 27, where it awaits his signature, veto, or passive enactment.
SB 328 – Age 21 Hemp Derived Consumables is legislation that initially was a bill on underground utility safety. In the final week of the session, it was dramatically altered to regulate hemp-derived consumables. The revised measure prohibits the sale and possession of products like delta-8, delta-9 THC, and synthetic cannabinoids to anyone under 21, establishes school-based restrictions, and sets penalties for violations. Supporters say it aims to protect youth by restricting access to intoxicating hemp products. The House passed the amended bill 106–1, and it now awaits Senate concurrence before heading to Governor Josh Stein.
Rev. Mark Creech, Director of Government Relations for Return America, voiced strong concerns before lawmakers. “I respect the intent of this bill – it’s aimed at protecting our young people,” said Creech. “But it inadvertently legalizes dangerous and intoxicating substances for adults over 21 – substances still illegal under federal and state law.” Reading from a public health expert’s email, Creech warned lawmakers when the bill was taken up in the ABC committee that it could unintentionally create a de facto recreational marijuana market, legalizing high-potency THC products more extreme than those sold in states like California. On Thursday, June 26, the bill was re-referred to the House Rules Committee.
HB 14 – Gambling Losses Tax Deduction, NC Sound Money Act proposes allowing nonprofessional gamblers in North Carolina to deduct their gambling losses – up to the amount of their winnings – on their state income tax returns, aligning with federal policy. Proponents argue the bill corrects an unfair tax imbalance, since current law taxes gross winnings without accounting for losses. The legislation had already moved through the House Commerce Committee and on Thursday, the measure was sent back to House Rules.
Return America opposes this initiative. Rev. Mark Creech warns that HB 14 weakens a key deterrent to risky gambling behavior by reducing the natural financial consequences of loss, thereby encouraging increased participation and higher stakes. He notes the serious social toll of gambling addiction – including family breakdown, job loss, and public assistance reliance – and argues the bill unfairly shifts the burden of this fallout onto taxpayers. “This bill is essentially a gift to the gambling industry,” Creech says, “enabling them to keep their most vulnerable customers hooked while the public picks up the tab.” He further rejects claims by proponents that the current tax structure is unconstitutional, pointing to clear legal precedent affirming a state’s right to discourage socially harmful activities through its tax code.
As this report makes clear, the final week of North Carolina’s Long Legislative Session brought significant developments on issues central to Return America’s mission. From the critical passage of HB 193 to other measures addressing parental rights, sexual exploitation, substance policy, and gambling, these legislative actions are of great consequence. Return America encourages its supporters to stay engaged, pray fervently, and speak boldly for righteousness in the public square.
