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North Carolina House Bill H732

North Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Carolina House Bill H732 Compare Versions

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11 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
22 SESSION 2025
3-H 1
4-HOUSE BILL 732
3+H D
4+HOUSE BILL DRH10345-MLp-49A
5+
56
67
78 Short Title: Common Sense Gun Regulations. (Public)
8-Sponsors: Representatives Harrison, Morey, Belk, and Dew (Primary Sponsors).
9-For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
10-Referred to: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
11-April 3, 2025
12-*H732 -v-1*
9+Sponsors: Representative Harrison.
10+Referred to:
11+
12+*DRH10345 -MLp-49A*
1313 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
1414 AN ACT TO REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON OR 2
1515 LONG GUN; TO REQUIRE A SEVENTY-TWO-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE A 3
1616 PURCHASED FIREARM MAY BE DELIVERED OR OTHERWISE POSSESSED; TO 4
1717 PROHIBIT THE SALE OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON OR LONG GUN TO PERSONS 5
1818 UNDER A CERTAIN AGE; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF A BUMP 6
1919 STOCK OR TRIGGER CRANK; TO REQUIRE THE SAFE STORAGE OF A FIREARM; 7
2020 TO REVISE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT; TO 8
2121 REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF A LOST OR STOLEN FIREARM; TO REQUIRE ANY 9
2222 PERSON WHO OWNS A FIREARM TO CARRY FIREARM LIABILITY INSURANCE; 10
2323 TO LIMIT THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION MAGAZINES; TO REPEAL THE 11
2424 PREEMPTION OF LOCAL REGULATION OF FIREARMS; TO ALLOW THE 12
2525 DESTRUCTION OF A SEIZED FIREARM ; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF 13
2626 PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A ROSTER OF HANDGUNS THAT MEET CERTAIN 14
2727 DESIGN AND SAFETY STANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE, TRANSFER, 15
2828 OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON 16
2929 THE ROSTER; TO REPEAL THE "STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS " AND CODIFY 17
3030 COMMON LAW REGARDING USE OF FORCE AGAINST AN INTRUDER; TO 18
3131 PROHIBIT LEAVING A FIREARM IN AN UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS 19
3232 FIREARM IS SAFELY STORED; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF 20
3333 GHOST GUNS; TO PROHIBIT POSSESSION OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM BY 21
3434 PERSONS UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE; TO REQUIRE THE SHERIFF 22
3535 UPON DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL TO RENEW A CONCEALED 23
3636 HANDGUN PERMIT OR PISTOL PERMIT TO TRANSMIT THE PROHIBITION 24
3737 RECORD TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK 25
3838 SYSTEM; TO DIRECT THE STATE TREASURER TO DIVEST THE PENSION FUND 26
3939 OF GUN STOCKS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF AN EXTREME RISK 27
4040 PROTECTION ORDER TO RESTRICT TEMPORARILY A PERSON 'S ACCESS TO 28
4141 FIREARMS IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE PERSON POSES A DANGER OF 29
4242 PHYSICAL HARM TO SELF OR OTHERS; AND TO REQUIRE A COURT TO ORDER 30
4343 THE SEIZURE OF ANY FIREARM, AMMUNITION, OR PERMITS A DEFENDANT 31
4444 FAILS TO SURRENDER AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN EMERGENCY OR EX 32
4545 PARTE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER . 33
4646 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 34
47- 35 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
48-Page 2 House Bill 732-First Edition
49-PART I. TITLE OF ACT 1
50-SECTION 1. This act shall be known as "The Comprehensive Common-Sense 2
51-Approach to Reducing Gun Violence Act." 3
47+ 35
48+PART I. TITLE OF ACT 36
49+H.B. 732
50+Apr 2, 2025
51+HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
52+Page 2 DRH10345-MLp-49A
53+SECTION 1. This act shall be known as "The Comprehensive Common-Sense 1
54+Approach to Reducing Gun Violence Act." 2
55+ 3
56+PART II. PERMIT REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE OF ASSAULT WEAPON OR LONG 4
57+GUN AND WAITING PERIOD REQUIRED BETWEEN PURCHASE AND DELIVERY 5
58+SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 14-402, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 6
59+and reads as rewritten: 7
60+"§ 14-402. Sale of certain weapons without permit forbidden. 8
61+(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation in this State to sell, give away, or 9
62+transfer, or to purchase or receive, at any place within this State from any other place within or 10
63+without the State any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless: (i) a license or permit is 11
64+first obtained under this Article by the purchaser or receiver from the sheriff of the county in 12
65+which the purchaser or receiver resides; or (ii) a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit 13
66+is held under Article 54B of this Chapter by the purchaser or receiver who must be a resident of 14
67+the State at the time of the purchase. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person in this State to 15
68+receive a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless a period of 72 hours has passed from the date 16
69+of purchase or agreement to give away or transfer the pistol, assault weapon, or long gun. 17
70+It is unlawful for any person or persons to receive from any postmaster, postal clerk, 18
71+employee in the parcel post department, rural mail carrier, express agent or employee, railroad 19
72+agent or employee within the State of North Carolina any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long 20
73+gun without having in his or their possession and without exhibiting at the time of the delivery 21
74+of the same and to the person delivering the same the permit from the sheriff as provided in 22
75+G.S. 14-403. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 2 23
76+misdemeanor. 24
77+(b) This section does not apply to an antique firearm or an historic edged weapon. 25
78+(c) The following definitions apply in this Article: 26
79+(1) Antique firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 27
80+(1a) Assault weapon. – The term includes all of the following: 28
81+a. Any selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the 29
82+option of the user. The term also includes all of the following 30
83+semiautomatic firearms: 31
84+1. Algimec Agmi. 32
85+2. Armalite AR-180. 33
86+3. Australian Automatic Arms SAP Pistol. 34
87+4. Auto-Ordnance Thompson type. 35
88+5. Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type. 36
89+6. Barrett Light-Fifty model 82A1. 37
90+7. Beretta AR-70. 38
91+8. Bushmaster Auto Rifle and Auto Pistol. 39
92+9. Calico models M-900, M-950, and 100-P. 40
93+10. Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88. 41
94+11. Colt AR-15 and Sporter. 42
95+12. Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max-1, and Max-2. 43
96+13. Encom MK-IV, MP-9, and MP-45. 44
97+14. Fabrique Nationale FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FN/FNC. 45
98+15. FAMAS MAS 223. 46
99+16. Feather AT-9 and Mini-AT. 47
100+17. Federal XC-900 and XC-450. 48
101+18. Franchi SPAS-12 and LAW-12. 49
102+19. Galil AR and ARM. 50
103+20. Goncz High-Tech Carbine and High-Tech Long Pistol. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
104+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 3
105+21. Heckler & Koch HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, and SP-89. 1
106+22. Holmes MP-83. 2
107+23. MAC-10, MAC-11, and MAC-11 Carbine type. 3
108+24. Intratec TEC-9 and Scorpion. 4
109+25. Iver Johnson Enforcer model 3000. 5
110+26. Ruger Mini-14/5F folding stock model. 6
111+27. Scarab Skorpion. 7
112+28. SIG 57 AMT and 500 series. 8
113+29. Spectre Auto Carbine and Auto Pistol. 9
114+30. Springfield Armory BM59, SAR-48, and G-3. 10
115+31. Sterling MK-6 and MK-7. 11
116+32. Steyr AUG. 12
117+33. Street Sweeper and Striker-12 revolving cylinder shotguns. 13
118+34. USAS-12. 14
119+35. UZI Carbine, Mini-Carbine, and Pistol. 15
120+36. Weaver Arms Nighthawk. 16
121+37. Wilkinson "Linda" Pistol. 17
122+b. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire rifles, or copies or 18
123+duplicates with the capability of the rifles: 19
124+1. AK-47. 20
125+2. AK-74. 21
126+3. AKM. 22
127+4. AKS-74U. 23
128+5. ARM. 24
129+6. MAADI AK47. 25
130+7. MAK90. 26
131+8. MISR. 27
132+9. NHM90 and NHM91. 28
133+10. Norinco 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S. 29
134+11. Poly Technologies AKS and AK47. 30
135+12. SA 85. 31
136+13. SA 93. 32
137+14. VEPR. 33
138+15. WASR-10. 34
139+16. WUM. 35
140+17. Rock River Arms LAR-47. 36
141+18. Vector Arms AK-47. 37
142+19. AR-10. 38
143+20. AR-15. 39
144+21. Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster XM15, Bushmaster ACR 40
145+Rifles, and Bushmaster MOE Rifles. 41
146+22. Colt Match Target Rifles. 42
147+23. Armalite M15. 43
148+24. Olympic Arms AR-15, A1, CAR, PCR, K3B, K30R, K16, 44
149+K48, K8, and K9 Rifles. 45
150+25. DPMS Tactical Rifles. 46
151+26. Smith and Wesson M&P15 Rifles. 47
152+27. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 48
153+28. Doublestar AR Rifles. 49
154+29. Barrett REC7. 50
155+30. Beretta Storm. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
156+Page 4 DRH10345-MLp-49A
157+31. Calico Liberty 50, 50 Tactical, 100, 100 Tactical, I, I Tactical, 1
158+II, and II Tactical Rifles. 2
159+32. Hi-Point Carbine Rifles. 3
160+33. HK-PSG-1. 4
161+34. Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU Rifles, and RFB. 5
162+35. Remington Tactical Rifle Model 7615. 6
163+36. SAR-8, SAR-4800, and SR9. 7
164+37. SLG 95. 8
165+38. SLR 95 and 96. 9
166+39. TNW M230 and M2HB. 10
167+40. Vector Arms UZI. 11
168+41. Galil and Galil Sporter. 12
169+42. Daewoo AR 100 and AR 110C. 13
170+43. Fabrique Nationale/FN 308 Match and L1A1 Sporter. 14
171+44. HK USC. 15
172+45. IZHMASH Saiga AK. 16
173+46. SIG Sauer 551-A1, 556, 516, 716, and M400 Rifles. 17
174+47. Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S. 18
175+48. Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine. 19
176+49. Barrett M107A1. 20
177+c. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire pistols, or copies or 21
178+duplicates with the capability of the pistols: 22
179+1. Centurion 39 AK. 23
180+2. Draco AK-47. 24
181+3. HCR AK-47. 25
182+4. IO Inc. Hellpup AK-47. 26
183+5. Mini-Draco AK-47. 27
184+6. Yugo Krebs Krink. 28
185+7. American Spirit AR-15. 29
186+8. Bushmaster Carbon 15. 30
187+9. Doublestar Corporation AR. 31
188+10. DPMS AR-15. 32
189+11. Olympic Arms AR-15. 33
190+12. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 34
191+13. Calico Liberty III and III Tactical Pistols. 35
192+14. Masterpiece Arms MPA Pistols and Velocity Arms VMA 36
193+Pistols. 37
194+15. Intratec TEC-DC9 and AB-10. 38
195+16. Colefire Magnum. 39
196+17. German Sport 522 PK and Chiappa Firearms Mfour-22. 40
197+18. DSA SA58 PKP FAL. 41
198+19. I.O. Inc. PPS-43C. 42
199+20. Kel-Tec PLR 16 Pistol. 43
200+21. Sig Sauer P516 and P556 Pistols. 44
201+22. Thompson TA5 Pistols. 45
202+d. All IZHMASH Saiga 12 Shotguns, or copies or duplicates with the 46
203+capability of the shotguns. 47
204+e. All semiautomatic firearms that meet any of the following criteria: 48
205+1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the ability to accept 49
206+a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 50
207+I. A folding or telescoping stock. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
208+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 5
209+II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 1
210+thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 2
211+would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 3
212+in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 4
213+trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 5
214+action of the weapon when firing. 6
215+III. A forward pistol grip. 7
216+IV. A flash suppressor. 8
217+V. A grenade launcher or flare launcher. 9
218+2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine 10
219+with the ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 11
220+3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of 12
221+less than 30 inches. 13
222+4. A semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a 14
223+detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 15
224+I. An ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine 16
225+that attaches at some location outside of the pistol grip. 17
226+II. A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash 18
227+suppressor, forward pistol grip, or silencer. 19
228+III. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely 20
229+encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to fire 21
230+the firearm without being burned, except a slide that 22
231+encloses the barrel. 23
232+IV. A second hand grip. 24
233+5. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the 25
234+ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 26
235+6. A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following: 27
236+I. A folding or telescoping stock. 28
237+II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 29
238+thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 30
239+would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 31
240+in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 32
241+trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 33
242+action of the weapon when firing. 34
243+7. A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a 35
244+detachable magazine. 36
245+8. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder. 37
246+(4) Historic edged weapon. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.12. 38
247+(4a) Long guns. – A shotgun or rifle that is not considered an antique firearm or 39
248+assault weapon, as those terms are defined under this section." 40
249+SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 14-403, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 41
250+and reads as rewritten: 42
251+"§ 14-403. Permit issued by sheriff; form of permit; expiration of permit. 43
252+The sheriffs of any and all counties of this State shall issue to any person, firm, or corporation 44
253+in any county a permit to purchase or receive any weapon mentioned in this Article from any 45
254+person, firm, or corporation offering to sell or dispose of the weapon. The permit shall expire 46
255+five years from the date of issuance. The permit shall be a standard form created by the State 47
256+Bureau of Investigation in consultation with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, shall be of 48
257+a uniform size and material, and shall be designed with security features intended to minimize 49
258+the ability to counterfeit or replicate the permit and shall be set forth as follows: 50
259+North Carolina, 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
260+Page 6 DRH10345-MLp-49A
261+________ County. 1
262+I, ________, Sheriff of said County, do hereby certify that I have conducted a criminal 2
263+background check of the applicant, ________ whose place of residence is ________ in ________ 3
264+(or) in ________ Township, ________ County, North Carolina, and have received no 4
265+information to indicate that it would be a violation of State or federal law for the applicant to 5
266+purchase, transfer, receive, or possess a handgun. The applicant has further satisfied me as to his, 6
267+her (or) their good moral character. Therefore, a permit is issued to ________ to purchase one 7
268+pistol pistol, one assault weapon, or one long gun from any person, firm or corporation authorized 8
269+to dispose of the same. 9
270+This permit expires five years from its date of issuance. 10
271+This __ day of ______, ____. 11
272+ ___________________________________ 12
273+ Sheriff. 13
274+The standard permit created by this section shall be used statewide by the sheriffs of any and 14
275+all counties and, when issued by a sheriff, shall also contain an embossed seal unique to the office 15
276+of the issuing sheriff." 16
277+SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 14-315(b1)(1), 14-404, 14-405, 14-407.1, and 122C-54(d2), as 17
278+they existed immediately before their repeal, are reenacted. 18
279+SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 14-404(c)(1), as reenacted in subsection (c) of this section, 19
280+reads as rewritten: 20
281+"(1) One who is under an indictment or information for or has been convicted in 21
282+any state, or in any court of the United States, of a felony (other than an offense 22
283+pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, or restraints of trade). 23
284+However, a person who has been convicted of a felony in a court of any state 24
285+or in a court of the United States and (i) who is later pardoned, or (ii) whose 25
286+firearms rights have been restored pursuant to G.S. 14-415.4, may obtain a 26
287+permit, if the purchase or receipt of a pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun 27
288+permitted in this Article does not violate a condition of the pardon or 28
289+restoration of firearms rights." 29
290+SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 14-408.1(a)(2) reads as rewritten: 30
291+"(2) Firearm. – A handgun, assault weapon, shotgun, or rifle which expels a 31
292+projectile by action of an explosion." 32
293+SECTION 2.(f) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 33
294+the sale, giving away, transfer, purchase, or receiving of a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun on 34
295+or after that date. 35
296+ 36
297+PART III. PROHIBIT SALE OF ASSAULT WEAPONS OR LONG GUNS TO PERSONS 37
298+UNDER A CERTAIN AGE 38
299+SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 14-269.7 reads as rewritten: 39
300+"§ 14-269.7. Prohibitions on handguns firearms for minors. 40
301+(a) Any minor who willfully and intentionally possesses or carries a handgun handgun, 41
302+long gun, or assault weapon is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 42
303+(b) This section does not apply: 43
304+(1) To officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States 44
305+when in discharge of their official duties or acting under orders requiring them 45
306+to carry handguns.handguns, long guns, or assault weapons. 46
307+(2) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 47
308+for educational or recreational purposes while the minor is supervised by an 48
309+adult who is present. 49
310+(3) To an emancipated minor who possesses such handgun handgun, long gun, or 50
311+assault weapon inside his or her residence. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
312+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 7
313+(4) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 1
314+while hunting or trapping outside the limits of an incorporated municipality if 2
315+he has on his person written permission from a parent, guardian, or other 3
316+person standing in loco parentis. 4
317+(c) The following definitions apply in this section: 5
318+(1) Assault weapon. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 6
319+(1a) Handgun. – A firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be fired by the 7
320+use of a single hand, or any combination of parts from which such a firearm 8
321+can be assembled. 9
322+(1b) Long gun. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 10
323+(2) Minor. – Any person under 18 years of age." 11
324+SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 14-315 reads as rewritten: 12
325+"§ 14-315. Selling or giving weapons to minors. 13
326+(a) Sale of Weapons Other Than Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault 14
327+Weapons. – If a person sells, offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any pistol 15
328+cartridge, brass knucks, bowie knife, dirk, shurikin, leaded cane, or slungshot, the person is guilty 16
329+of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition, shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation 17
330+of this section. 18
331+(a1) Sale of Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault Weapons. – If a person sells, 19
332+offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any handgun as defined in G.S. 14-269.7, 20
333+handgun, long gun, or assault weapon, the person is guilty of a Class H felony and, in addition, 21
334+shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation of this section. This section does not apply 22
335+in any of the following circumstances: 23
336+(1) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is lent to a minor for 24
337+temporary use if the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or 25
338+assault weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not 26
339+otherwise unlawful. 27
340+(2) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is transferred to an adult 28
341+custodian pursuant to Chapter 33A of the General Statutes, and the minor does 29
342+not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 30
343+except that the adult custodian may allow the minor temporary possession of 31
344+the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in which 32
345+the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 33
346+is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise unlawful. 34
347+(3) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is a devise and is 35
348+distributed to a parent or guardian under G.S. 28A-22-7, and the minor does 36
349+not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 37
350+except that the parent or guardian may allow the minor temporary possession 38
351+of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in 39
352+which the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault 40
353+weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise 41
354+unlawful. 42
355+For purposes of this subsection, the terms "assault weapon," "long gun," "handgun," and 43
356+"minor" are as defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 44
357+…." 45
358+SECTION 3.(c) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 46
359+the possession, carrying, sale, offer for sale, giving, or transfer of an assault weapon or long gun 47
360+on or after that date. 48
361+ 49
362+PART IV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF BUMP STOCKS OR TRIGGER 50
363+CRANKS 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
364+Page 8 DRH10345-MLp-49A
365+SECTION 4.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 1
366+adding a new section to read: 2
367+"§ 14-409A. Bump stocks and trigger cranks prohibited. 3
368+(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 4
369+(1) Bump stock. – Any device or instrument for a firearm that increases the rate 5
370+of fire achievable with the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the 6
371+firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation 7
372+of the trigger. 8
373+(2) Firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 9
374+(3) Trigger crank. – Any device or instrument to be attached to a firearm that 10
375+repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a lever or 11
376+other part that is turned in a circular motion. The term does not include any 12
377+weapon initially designed and manufactured to fire through the use of a crank 13
378+or lever. 14
379+(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 15
380+sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess bump stocks, trigger cranks, or any other similar device 16
381+or instrument added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is designed to 17
382+increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm. 18
383+(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 19
384+SECTION 4.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 20
385+the sale, giving away, transfer, use, or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks, or other similar 21
386+devices and instruments added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is 22
387+designed to increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm on or after that date. 23
388+ 24
389+PART V. REQUIRE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS 25
390+SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 14-315.1 is repealed. 26
391+SECTION 5.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 27
392+adding a new section to read: 28
393+"§ 14-409.44. Require safe storage of firearms. 29
394+(a) Requirement. – Except when being carried or used by the owner or another lawfully 30
395+authorized user, a person in possession or control of a firearm shall store or keep the firearm in a 31
396+locked container. For purposes of this subsection, the term "firearm" includes weapons regulated 32
397+under G.S. 14-409. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the possession 33
398+of a firearm otherwise prohibited under State or federal law. 34
399+(b) Penalty. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class A1 35
400+misdemeanor. 36
401+(c) Punitive Damages. – A violation of subsection (a) of this section constitutes wanton 37
402+conduct within the meaning of G.S. 1D-5 and subjects the violator to punitive damages in any 38
403+civil action that may be filed as a result of the violator's actions." 39
404+SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 14-315.2 reads as rewritten: 40
405+"§ 14-315.2. Warning upon sale or transfer of firearm to protect minor.firearm to safely 41
406+store firearm. 42
407+(a) Upon the retail commercial sale or transfer of any firearm, the seller or transferor shall 43
408+deliver a written copy of G.S. 14-315.1 G.S. 14-409.44 to the purchaser or transferee. 44
409+(b) Any retail or wholesale store, shop, or sales outlet that sells firearms shall 45
410+conspicuously post at each purchase counter the following warning in block letters not less than 46
411+one inch in height the phrase: "IT "EXCEPT WHEN BEING CARRIED OR USED BY THE 47
412+OWNER OR ANOTHER LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED USER, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE 48
413+OR LEAVE KEEP A FIREARM THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A 49
414+REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR. "IN ANY 50
415+PLACE OTHER THAN A LOCKED CONTAINER. " 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
416+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 9
417+(c) A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor." 1
418+SECTION 5.(d) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 2
419+offenses committed on or after that date. 3
52420 4
53-PART II. PERMIT REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE OF ASSAULT WEAPON OR L ONG 5
54-GUN AND WAITING PERI OD REQUIRED BETWEEN PURCHASE AND DELIVER Y 6
55-SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 14-402, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 7
56-and reads as rewritten: 8
57-"§ 14-402. Sale of certain weapons without permit forbidden. 9
58-(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation in this State to sell, give away, or 10
59-transfer, or to purchase or receive, at any place within this State from any other place within or 11
60-without the State any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless: (i) a license or permit is 12
61-first obtained under this Article by the purchaser or receiver from the sheriff of the county in 13
62-which the purchaser or receiver resides; or (ii) a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit 14
63-is held under Article 54B of this Chapter by the purchaser or receiver who must be a resident of 15
64-the State at the time of the purchase. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person in this State to 16
65-receive a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless a period of 72 hours has passed from the date 17
66-of purchase or agreement to give away or transfer the pistol, assault weapon, or long gun. 18
67-It is unlawful for any person or persons to receive from any postmaster, postal clerk, 19
68-employee in the parcel post department, rural mail carrier, express agent or employee, railroad 20
69-agent or employee within the State of North Carolina any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long 21
70-gun without having in his or their possession and without exhibiting at the time of the delivery 22
71-of the same and to the person delivering the same the permit from the sheriff as provided in 23
72-G.S. 14-403. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 2 24
73-misdemeanor. 25
74-(b) This section does not apply to an antique firearm or an historic edged weapon. 26
75-(c) The following definitions apply in this Article: 27
76-(1) Antique firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 28
77-(1a) Assault weapon. – The term includes all of the following: 29
78-a. Any selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the 30
79-option of the user. The term also includes all of the following 31
80-semiautomatic firearms: 32
81-1. Algimec Agmi. 33
82-2. Armalite AR-180. 34
83-3. Australian Automatic Arms SAP Pistol. 35
84-4. Auto-Ordnance Thompson type. 36
85-5. Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type. 37
86-6. Barrett Light-Fifty model 82A1. 38
87-7. Beretta AR-70. 39
88-8. Bushmaster Auto Rifle and Auto Pistol. 40
89-9. Calico models M-900, M-950, and 100-P. 41
90-10. Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88. 42
91-11. Colt AR-15 and Sporter. 43
92-12. Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max-1, and Max-2. 44
93-13. Encom MK-IV, MP-9, and MP-45. 45
94-14. Fabrique Nationale FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FN/FNC. 46
95-15. FAMAS MAS 223. 47
96-16. Feather AT-9 and Mini-AT. 48
97-17. Federal XC-900 and XC-450. 49
98-18. Franchi SPAS-12 and LAW-12. 50
99-19. Galil AR and ARM. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
100-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 3
101-20. Goncz High-Tech Carbine and High-Tech Long Pistol. 1
102-21. Heckler & Koch HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, and SP-89. 2
103-22. Holmes MP-83. 3
104-23. MAC-10, MAC-11, and MAC-11 Carbine type. 4
105-24. Intratec TEC-9 and Scorpion. 5
106-25. Iver Johnson Enforcer model 3000. 6
107-26. Ruger Mini-14/5F folding stock model. 7
108-27. Scarab Skorpion. 8
109-28. SIG 57 AMT and 500 series. 9
110-29. Spectre Auto Carbine and Auto Pistol. 10
111-30. Springfield Armory BM59, SAR-48, and G-3. 11
112-31. Sterling MK-6 and MK-7. 12
113-32. Steyr AUG. 13
114-33. Street Sweeper and Striker-12 revolving cylinder shotguns. 14
115-34. USAS-12. 15
116-35. UZI Carbine, Mini-Carbine, and Pistol. 16
117-36. Weaver Arms Nighthawk. 17
118-37. Wilkinson "Linda" Pistol. 18
119-b. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire rifles, or copies or 19
120-duplicates with the capability of the rifles: 20
121-1. AK-47. 21
122-2. AK-74. 22
123-3. AKM. 23
124-4. AKS-74U. 24
125-5. ARM. 25
126-6. MAADI AK47. 26
127-7. MAK90. 27
128-8. MISR. 28
129-9. NHM90 and NHM91. 29
130-10. Norinco 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S. 30
131-11. Poly Technologies AKS and AK47. 31
132-12. SA 85. 32
133-13. SA 93. 33
134-14. VEPR. 34
135-15. WASR-10. 35
136-16. WUM. 36
137-17. Rock River Arms LAR-47. 37
138-18. Vector Arms AK-47. 38
139-19. AR-10. 39
140-20. AR-15. 40
141-21. Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster XM15, Bushmaster ACR 41
142-Rifles, and Bushmaster MOE Rifles. 42
143-22. Colt Match Target Rifles. 43
144-23. Armalite M15. 44
145-24. Olympic Arms AR-15, A1, CAR, PCR, K3B, K30R, K16, 45
146-K48, K8, and K9 Rifles. 46
147-25. DPMS Tactical Rifles. 47
148-26. Smith and Wesson M&P15 Rifles. 48
149-27. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 49
150-28. Doublestar AR Rifles. 50
151-29. Barrett REC7. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
152-Page 4 House Bill 732-First Edition
153-30. Beretta Storm. 1
154-31. Calico Liberty 50, 50 Tactical, 100, 100 Tactical, I, I Tactical, 2
155-II, and II Tactical Rifles. 3
156-32. Hi-Point Carbine Rifles. 4
157-33. HK-PSG-1. 5
158-34. Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU Rifles, and RFB. 6
159-35. Remington Tactical Rifle Model 7615. 7
160-36. SAR-8, SAR-4800, and SR9. 8
161-37. SLG 95. 9
162-38. SLR 95 and 96. 10
163-39. TNW M230 and M2HB. 11
164-40. Vector Arms UZI. 12
165-41. Galil and Galil Sporter. 13
166-42. Daewoo AR 100 and AR 110C. 14
167-43. Fabrique Nationale/FN 308 Match and L1A1 Sporter. 15
168-44. HK USC. 16
169-45. IZHMASH Saiga AK. 17
170-46. SIG Sauer 551-A1, 556, 516, 716, and M400 Rifles. 18
171-47. Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S. 19
172-48. Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine. 20
173-49. Barrett M107A1. 21
174-c. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire pistols, or copies or 22
175-duplicates with the capability of the pistols: 23
176-1. Centurion 39 AK. 24
177-2. Draco AK-47. 25
178-3. HCR AK-47. 26
179-4. IO Inc. Hellpup AK-47. 27
180-5. Mini-Draco AK-47. 28
181-6. Yugo Krebs Krink. 29
182-7. American Spirit AR-15. 30
183-8. Bushmaster Carbon 15. 31
184-9. Doublestar Corporation AR. 32
185-10. DPMS AR-15. 33
186-11. Olympic Arms AR-15. 34
187-12. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 35
188-13. Calico Liberty III and III Tactical Pistols. 36
189-14. Masterpiece Arms MPA Pistols and Velocity Arms VMA 37
190-Pistols. 38
191-15. Intratec TEC-DC9 and AB-10. 39
192-16. Colefire Magnum. 40
193-17. German Sport 522 PK and Chiappa Firearms Mfour-22. 41
194-18. DSA SA58 PKP FAL. 42
195-19. I.O. Inc. PPS-43C. 43
196-20. Kel-Tec PLR 16 Pistol. 44
197-21. Sig Sauer P516 and P556 Pistols. 45
198-22. Thompson TA5 Pistols. 46
199-d. All IZHMASH Saiga 12 Shotguns, or copies or duplicates with the 47
200-capability of the shotguns. 48
201-e. All semiautomatic firearms that meet any of the following criteria: 49
202-1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the ability to accept 50
203-a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
204-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 5
205-I. A folding or telescoping stock. 1
206-II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 2
207-thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 3
208-would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 4
209-in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 5
210-trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 6
211-action of the weapon when firing. 7
212-III. A forward pistol grip. 8
213-IV. A flash suppressor. 9
214-V. A grenade launcher or flare launcher. 10
215-2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine 11
216-with the ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 12
217-3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of 13
218-less than 30 inches. 14
219-4. A semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a 15
220-detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 16
221-I. An ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine 17
222-that attaches at some location outside of the pistol grip. 18
223-II. A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash 19
224-suppressor, forward pistol grip, or silencer. 20
225-III. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely 21
226-encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to fire 22
227-the firearm without being burned, except a slide that 23
228-encloses the barrel. 24
229-IV. A second hand grip. 25
230-5. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the 26
231-ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 27
232-6. A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following: 28
233-I. A folding or telescoping stock. 29
234-II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 30
235-thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 31
236-would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 32
237-in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 33
238-trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 34
239-action of the weapon when firing. 35
240-7. A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a 36
241-detachable magazine. 37
242-8. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder. 38
243-(4) Historic edged weapon. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.12. 39
244-(4a) Long guns. – A shotgun or rifle that is not considered an antique firearm or 40
245-assault weapon, as those terms are defined under this section." 41
246-SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 14-403, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 42
247-and reads as rewritten: 43
248-"§ 14-403. Permit issued by sheriff; form of permit; expiration of permit. 44
249-The sheriffs of any and all counties of this State shall issue to any person, firm, or corporation 45
250-in any county a permit to purchase or receive any weapon mentioned in this Article from any 46
251-person, firm, or corporation offering to sell or dispose of the weapon. The permit shall expire 47
252-five years from the date of issuance. The permit shall be a standard form created by the State 48
253-Bureau of Investigation in consultation with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, shall be of 49
254-a uniform size and material, and shall be designed with security features intended to minimize 50
255-the ability to counterfeit or replicate the permit and shall be set forth as follows: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
256-Page 6 House Bill 732-First Edition
257-North Carolina, 1
258-________ County. 2
259-I, ________, Sheriff of said County, do hereby certify that I have conducted a criminal 3
260-background check of the applicant, ________ whose place of residence is ________ in ________ 4
261-(or) in ________ Township, ________ County, North Carolina, and have received no 5
262-information to indicate that it would be a violation of State or federal law for the applicant to 6
263-purchase, transfer, receive, or possess a handgun. The applicant has further satisfied me as to his, 7
264-her (or) their good moral character. Therefore, a permit is issued to ________ to purchase one 8
265-pistol pistol, one assault weapon, or one long gun from any person, firm or corporation authorized 9
266-to dispose of the same. 10
267-This permit expires five years from its date of issuance. 11
268-This __ day of ______, ____. 12
269- ___________________________________ 13
270- Sheriff. 14
271-The standard permit created by this section shall be used statewide by the sheriffs of any and 15
272-all counties and, when issued by a sheriff, shall also contain an embossed seal unique to the office 16
273-of the issuing sheriff." 17
274-SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 14-315(b1)(1), 14-404, 14-405, 14-407.1, and 122C-54(d2), as 18
275-they existed immediately before their repeal, are reenacted. 19
276-SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 14-404(c)(1), as reenacted in subsection (c) of this section, 20
277-reads as rewritten: 21
278-"(1) One who is under an indictment or information for or has been convicted in 22
279-any state, or in any court of the United States, of a felony (other than an offense 23
280-pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, or restraints of trade). 24
281-However, a person who has been convicted of a felony in a court of any state 25
282-or in a court of the United States and (i) who is later pardoned, or (ii) whose 26
283-firearms rights have been restored pursuant to G.S. 14-415.4, may obtain a 27
284-permit, if the purchase or receipt of a pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun 28
285-permitted in this Article does not violate a condition of the pardon or 29
286-restoration of firearms rights." 30
287-SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 14-408.1(a)(2) reads as rewritten: 31
288-"(2) Firearm. – A handgun, assault weapon, shotgun, or rifle which expels a 32
289-projectile by action of an explosion." 33
290-SECTION 2.(f) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 34
291-the sale, giving away, transfer, purchase, or receiving of a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun on 35
292-or after that date. 36
293- 37
294-PART III. PROHIBIT SALE OF ASSAULT WEAPO NS OR LONG GUNS TO PERSONS 38
295-UNDER A CERTAIN AGE 39
296-SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 14-269.7 reads as rewritten: 40
297-"§ 14-269.7. Prohibitions on handguns firearms for minors. 41
298-(a) Any minor who willfully and intentionally possesses or carries a handgun handgun, 42
299-long gun, or assault weapon is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 43
300-(b) This section does not apply: 44
301-(1) To officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States 45
302-when in discharge of their official duties or acting under orders requiring them 46
303-to carry handguns.handguns, long guns, or assault weapons. 47
304-(2) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 48
305-for educational or recreational purposes while the minor is supervised by an 49
306-adult who is present. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
307-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 7
308-(3) To an emancipated minor who possesses such handgun handgun, long gun, or 1
309-assault weapon inside his or her residence. 2
310-(4) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 3
311-while hunting or trapping outside the limits of an incorporated municipality if 4
312-he has on his person written permission from a parent, guardian, or other 5
313-person standing in loco parentis. 6
314-(c) The following definitions apply in this section: 7
315-(1) Assault weapon. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 8
316-(1a) Handgun. – A firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be fired by the 9
317-use of a single hand, or any combination of parts from which such a firearm 10
318-can be assembled. 11
319-(1b) Long gun. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 12
320-(2) Minor. – Any person under 18 years of age." 13
321-SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 14-315 reads as rewritten: 14
322-"§ 14-315. Selling or giving weapons to minors. 15
323-(a) Sale of Weapons Other Than Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault 16
324-Weapons. – If a person sells, offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any pistol 17
325-cartridge, brass knucks, bowie knife, dirk, shurikin, leaded cane, or slungshot, the person is guilty 18
326-of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition, shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation 19
327-of this section. 20
328-(a1) Sale of Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault Weapons. – If a person sells, 21
329-offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any handgun as defined in G.S. 14-269.7, 22
330-handgun, long gun, or assault weapon, the person is guilty of a Class H felony and, in addition, 23
331-shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation of this section. This section does not apply 24
332-in any of the following circumstances: 25
333-(1) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is lent to a minor for 26
334-temporary use if the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or 27
335-assault weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not 28
336-otherwise unlawful. 29
337-(2) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is transferred to an adult 30
338-custodian pursuant to Chapter 33A of the General Statutes, and the minor does 31
339-not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 32
340-except that the adult custodian may allow the minor temporary possession of 33
341-the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in which 34
342-the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 35
343-is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise unlawful. 36
344-(3) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is a devise and is 37
345-distributed to a parent or guardian under G.S. 28A-22-7, and the minor does 38
346-not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 39
347-except that the parent or guardian may allow the minor temporary possession 40
348-of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in 41
349-which the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault 42
350-weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise 43
351-unlawful. 44
352-For purposes of this subsection, the terms "assault weapon," "long gun," "handgun," and 45
353-"minor" are as defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 46
354-…." 47
355-SECTION 3.(c) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 48
356-the possession, carrying, sale, offer for sale, giving, or transfer of an assault weapon or long gun 49
357-on or after that date. 50
421+PART VI. REVISE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMITS 5
422+SECTION 6. G.S. 14-415.24 reads as rewritten: 6
423+"§ 14-415.24. Reciprocity; out-of-state handgun permits. 7
424+(a) A valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state is valid in North 8
425+Carolina. 9
426+(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-268, s. 22(a), effective December 1, 2011. 10
427+(c) Every 12 months after the effective date of this subsection, the Department of Justice 11
428+shall make written inquiry of the concealed handgun permitting authorities in each other state as 12
429+to: (i) whether a North Carolina resident may carry a concealed handgun in their state based upon 13
430+having a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit and permit, (ii) whether a North 14
431+Carolina resident may apply for a concealed handgun permit in that state based upon having a 15
432+valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. permit, and (iii) what the criteria are in that state 16
433+for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit. The Department of Justice shall attempt to secure 17
434+from each state permission for North Carolina residents who hold a valid North Carolina 18
435+concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in that state, either on the basis of the 19
436+North Carolina permit or on the basis that the North Carolina permit is sufficient to permit the 20
437+issuance of a similar license or permit by the other state. 21
438+(d) The Department of Justice shall identify and compile a list of the states that issue a 22
439+concealed handgun permit that requires compliance with criteria that is at least as stringent as the 23
440+criteria required for a concealed handgun in this State. A valid concealed handgun permit or 24
441+license issued by any state on the list compiled pursuant to this subsection is valid in North 25
442+Carolina." 26
443+ 27
444+PART VII. REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS 28
445+SECTION 7.(a) Article 53A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 29
446+adding a new section to read: 30
447+"§ 14-409.13. Report of loss or theft of firearm. 31
448+(a) Any owner of a firearm as defined in G.S. 14-408.1(a) shall report the loss or theft of 32
449+the firearm within 48 hours after the discovery of the loss or theft to either (i) the local law 33
450+enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the loss or theft of the firearm 34
451+occurred or (ii) the State Bureau of Investigation. 35
452+(b) A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor; however, a second or subsequent 36
453+violation of this section is a Class I felony." 37
454+SECTION 7.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 38
455+offenses committed on or after that date. 39
456+ 40
457+PART VIII. REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHO OWNS A FIREARM TO CARRY 41
458+FIREARM LIABILITY INSURANCE 42
459+SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 14-404(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 43
460+"(1a) Verified, before the issuance of a permit, that the person has firearm liability 44
461+insurance pursuant to G.S. 14-409.44A." 45
462+SECTION 8.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 46
463+adding a new section to read: 47
464+"§ 14-409.44A. Liability insurance required for gun owners. 48
465+(a) Any person in this State who intends to own a firearm shall, prior to the ownership of 49
466+the firearm, obtain, and during ownership continuously maintain, a policy of liability insurance 50
467+in an amount not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) specifically covering any 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
468+Page 10 DRH10345-MLp-49A
469+damages resulting from any negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm while it is 1
470+owned by the person. No firearm shall be transferred in this State unless the transferee at the time 2
471+of the transfer provides proof that the transferee has complied with the provisions of this section. 3
472+(b) For purposes of this section, a person is deemed to own a firearm if the firearm is lost 4
473+or stolen until the loss or theft is reported pursuant to G.S. 14-409.13. 5
474+(c) Any person who owns a firearm on December 1, 2025, shall obtain the insurance 6
475+required by this section by January 15, 2026. 7
476+(d) This section does not apply to any law enforcement officer authorized to carry a 8
477+firearm. 9
478+(e) The Department of Insurance shall adopt rules to implement this section." 10
479+SECTION 8.(c) Subsection (a) of this section is effective when it becomes law and 11
480+applies to permit applications received on or after that date. 12
481+ 13
482+PART IX. LIMIT THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION MAGAZINES 14
483+SECTION 9.(a) Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 15
484+Article to read: 16
485+"Article 53D. 17
486+"Regulation of Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines. 18
487+"§ 14-409.60. Definition. 19
488+For purposes of this Article, the term "large-capacity magazine" includes all of the following: 20
489+(i) a fixed or detachable magazine box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, 21
490+or that is designed to be readily converted to accept, more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) a 22
491+fixed or detachable magazine that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells; and 23
492+(iii) a detachable magazine, tube, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of 24
493+accepting more than eight shotgun shells when combined with a fixed magazine. The term does 25
494+not include any of the following: (i) a feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it 26
495+cannot accommodate more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) an attached tubular device 27
496+designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition; or (iii) a 28
497+tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm. 29
498+"§ 14-409.61. Large-capacity magazines prohibited; penalties; exceptions. 30
499+(a) It is unlawful for a person to sell, transfer, or possess a large-capacity magazine. A 31
500+violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor; provided, however, that a second or 32
501+subsequent violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. 33
502+(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section commits a Class I felony under 34
503+this section if the person possessed a large-capacity magazine during the commission of a felony. 35
504+(c) A person may possess a large-capacity magazine if the person: 36
505+(1) Owns the large-capacity magazine on December 1, 2025; and 37
506+(2) Maintains continuous possession of the large-capacity magazine. 38
507+(d) If a person who is alleged to have violated subsection (a) of this section asserts that 39
508+the person is permitted to legally possess a large-capacity magazine pursuant to subsection (c) of 40
509+this section, the prosecution has the burden of proof to refute the assertion. 41
510+(e) The offense described in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any of the 42
511+following: 43
512+(1) An entity, or any employee thereof engaged in the employee's employment 44
513+duties, that manufactures large-capacity magazines within North Carolina 45
514+exclusively for transfer or any federally licensed gun dealer, or any employee 46
515+thereof engaged in his or her official employment duties, that sells 47
516+large-capacity magazines exclusively to any of the following: 48
517+a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 49
518+b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 50
519+Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
520+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 11
521+c. A firearms retailer for the purpose of firearms sales conducted outside 1
522+the State. 2
523+d. A foreign national government that has been approved for such 3
524+transfers by the United States government. 4
525+e. An out-of-state transferee who may legally possess a large-capacity 5
526+magazine. 6
527+(2) An employee of any of the following agencies who bears a firearm in the 7
528+course of the employee's official duties: 8
529+a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 9
530+b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 10
531+Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 11
532+(3) A person who possesses the magazine for the sole purpose of transporting the 12
533+magazine to an out-of-state entity on behalf of a manufacturer of 13
534+large-capacity magazines within North Carolina. 14
535+"§ 14-409.62. Identification markings for large-capacity magazines; rules. 15
536+(a) A large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in North Carolina on or after 16
537+December 1, 2025, must include a permanent stamp or marking indicating that the large-capacity 17
538+magazine was manufactured or assembled after that date. The stamp or marking must be legibly 18
539+and conspicuously engraved or cast upon the outer surface of the large-capacity magazine. 19
540+(b) The SBI may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section, including rules 20
541+requiring a large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in this State on or after December 1, 21
542+2025, to bear identifying information in addition to the identifying information described in 22
543+subsection (a) of this section. 23
544+(c) A person who manufactures a large-capacity magazine in North Carolina in violation 24
545+of subsection (a) of this section commits a Class 2 misdemeanor." 25
546+SECTION 9.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 26
547+offenses committed on or after that date. 27
548+ 28
549+PART X. REPEAL PREEMPTION OF LOCAL FIREARM REGULATIONS 29
550+SECTION 10. G.S. 14-409.40 is repealed. 30
551+ 31
552+PART XI. ALLOW DESTRUCTION OF SEIZED FIREARMS 32
553+SECTION 11.(a) G.S. 15-11.1(b1)(3) reads as rewritten: 33
554+"(3) By ordering the firearm turned over to be destroyed by the sheriff of the county 34
555+in which the firearm was seized or by his duly authorized agent if the firearm 35
556+does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use 36
557+because of wear, damage, age, or modification. agent. The sheriff shall 37
558+maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 38
559+SECTION 11.(b) G.S. 15-11.2(d)(1) reads as rewritten: 39
560+"(1) By having the firearm destroyed if the firearm does not have a legible, unique 40
561+identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or 41
562+modification and will not be disposed of pursuant to subdivision (3) of this 42
563+subsection. destroyed. The head or chief of the law enforcement agency shall 43
564+maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 44
565+SECTION 11.(c) G.S. 14-269.1(4) reads as rewritten: 45
566+"(4) By ordering such weapon any firearm turned over to the sheriff of the county 46
567+in which the trial is held or his duly authorized agent to be destroyed if the 47
568+firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for 48
569+use because of wear, damage, age, or modification. destroyed. The sheriff 49
570+shall maintain a record of the destruction thereof." 50
358571 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
359-Page 8 House Bill 732-First Edition
360-PART IV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF BUMP STOCK S OR TRIGGER 1
361-CRANKS 2
362-SECTION 4.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 3
572+Page 12 DRH10345-MLp-49A
573+PART XII. REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A 1
574+ROSTER OF HANDGUNS THAT MEET CERTAIN DESIGN AND SAFETY 2
575+STANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE, TRANSFER, OWNERSHIP, OR 3
576+POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THE ROSTER 4
577+SECTION 12.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 5
578+adding a new section to read: 6
579+"§ 14-406.2. Prohibition on sale, transfer, ownership, or possession of unsafe handgun. 7
580+(a) Findings. – The General Assembly finds all of the following: 8
581+(1) There is a lack of design and safety standards imposed on pistols under federal 9
582+and State law. 10
583+(2) A lack of design and safety standards results in the sale of poorly constructed 11
584+pistols, which can lead to unintentional shootings and other harms. 12
585+(3) Multiple states have utilized the following design and safety tests performed 13
586+by independent handgun testing laboratories to develop rosters of handguns 14
587+that satisfy the tests and are approved for sale within the state's jurisdiction: 15
588+a. Firing tests. 16
589+b. Drop tests. 17
590+c. Melting point tests. 18
591+(4) It is in the public interest to ensure, in a timely manner, that handguns that do 19
592+not meet design and safety standards are not sold, transferred, owned, or 20
593+possessed in this State. 21
594+(5) The most efficient and expeditious method for ensuring unsafe handguns are 22
595+not sold in this State is to develop a roster of approved handguns for sale in 23
596+this State that is based off the rosters developed in other states. 24
597+(b) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 25
598+(1) Antique firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 26
599+(2) California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. – A roster compiled by the 27
600+Department of Justice for the State of California pursuant to California Penal 28
601+Code § 12131 that lists all of the pistols, revolvers, and other firearms that 29
602+have been tested by a certified testing laboratory and determined not to be 30
603+unsafe. 31
604+(3) Dealer. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 32
605+(4) Department. – The Department of Public Safety. 33
606+(5) Handgun. – As defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 34
607+(c) Development; Prohibition. – The Department shall develop a roster of handguns 35
608+determined not to be unsafe based off the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. 36
609+Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, it is unlawful for any person, firm, 37
610+or corporation to (i) manufacture, sell, give, loan, import, or otherwise transfer a handgun that is 38
611+not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the calendar year in which the handgun is to be sold, 39
612+given, loaned, imported, or otherwise transferred or (ii) own or possess a handgun that is not 40
613+listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable calendar year, unless the person, firm, or 41
614+corporation lawfully owned or possessed the handgun prior to that date. 42
615+(d) Disposition. – A person who is the lawful owner of a handgun that is not listed on the 43
616+roster developed under subsection (c) of this section as of January 1 of the applicable calendar 44
617+year may only sell or otherwise transfer the handgun to a dealer or the sheriff of the county in 45
618+which the person resides. The sheriff may destroy the handgun or dispose of the handgun in 46
619+accordance with subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14-269.1. A dealer who retains in the dealer's 47
620+inventory, or who otherwise lawfully acquires, a handgun not listed on the roster as of January 1 48
621+of the applicable calendar year may sell or otherwise transfer the handgun only to another dealer. 49
622+A person may not transfer a handgun not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable 50
623+calendar year by devise or bequest. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
624+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 13
625+(e) Exemptions. – This section does not apply to any of the following: 1
626+(1) An antique firearm. 2
627+(2) A handgun defined as curios or relics, as those terms are defined in section 3
628+478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 4
629+(3) A handgun that is designed expressly for use in Olympic target shooting 5
630+events. 6
631+(4) A handgun used solely as a prop during the course of a motion picture, 7
632+television, or video production by an authorized participant in the course of 8
633+making that production or event or by an authorized employee or agent of the 9
634+entity producing that production or event. 10
635+(5) The temporary transfer of a lawfully owned handgun for the purposes of 11
636+cleaning, repairing, or servicing the handgun by a dealer. 12
637+(6) The possession of a handgun by a nonresident of the State while temporarily 13
638+traveling through the State. 14
639+(7) A handgun exempted by the Department in accordance with subsection (g) of 15
640+this section. 16
641+(f) Testing. – The Department may test, or contract with an independent handgun testing 17
642+laboratory to test, handguns (i) that the Department believes should be added to the roster 18
643+required under subsection (c) of this section or (ii) that the Department believes, based on credible 19
644+information received by the Department from at least two credible sources, should be removed 20
645+from the roster required under subsection (c) of this section. The Department may only utilize 21
646+one of the tests described in subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section when testing 22
647+handguns under this subsection. The Department may utilize the authority granted under 23
648+subsection (g) of this section to add or remove handguns under this subsection from the roster 24
649+required under subsection (c) of this section. 25
650+(g) Annual Update. – By January 1, the Department shall annually review the California 26
651+Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale and update, by rule, the roster required under subsection 27
652+(c) of this section and any exemptions authorized under subdivision (7) of subsection (e) of this 28
653+section of approved pistols developed by other states and update the roster developed in 29
654+accordance with this subsection accordingly. The Department may also utilize the rulemaking 30
655+authority granted under this subsection to update the roster required under subsection (c) of this 31
656+section with any handguns tested under subsection (f) of this section and approved by the 32
657+Department for sale in this State. 33
658+(h) Dissemination. – At least 30 days prior to the date a roster developed and updated in 34
659+accordance with this section is to take effect, the Department shall publish the roster and any 35
660+updates on its website. 36
661+(i) Penalty. – Any person violating the provisions of subsections (c) and (d) of this 37
662+section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor." 38
663+SECTION 12.(b) The initial roster developed under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by 39
664+subsection (a) of this section, shall be based on the California Roster of Handguns Certified for 40
665+Sale as of January 1, 2026. 41
666+SECTION 12.(c) By January 15, 2026, the Department of Public Safety shall (i) 42
667+submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety 43
668+detailing the development of the roster required under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by subsection 44
669+(a) of this section, and the types of handguns that are included on the roster and (ii) publish the 45
670+roster on its website in accordance with G.S. 14-406.2(c). 46
671+SECTION 12.(d) This section becomes effective January 1, 2026. 47
672+ 48
673+PART XIII. REPEAL "STAND YOUR GROUND LAWS " AND CODIFY COMMON 49
674+LAW REGARDING USE OF FORCE AGAINST AN INTRUDER 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
675+Page 14 DRH10345-MLp-49A
676+SECTION 13.(a) The following statutes are repealed: G.S. 14-51.2, 14-51.3, and 1
677+14-51.4. 2
678+SECTION 13.(b) Article 14 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 3
363679 adding a new section to read: 4
364-"§ 14-409A. Bump stocks and trigger cranks prohibited. 5
365-(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 6
366-(1) Bump stock. – Any device or instrument for a firearm that increases the rate 7
367-of fire achievable with the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the 8
368-firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation 9
369-of the trigger. 10
370-(2) Firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 11
371-(3) Trigger crank. – Any device or instrument to be attached to a firearm that 12
372-repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a lever or 13
373-other part that is turned in a circular motion. The term does not include any 14
374-weapon initially designed and manufactured to fire through the use of a crank 15
375-or lever. 16
376-(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 17
377-sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess bump stocks, trigger cranks, or any other similar device 18
378-or instrument added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is designed to 19
379-increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm. 20
380-(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 21
381-SECTION 4.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 22
382-the sale, giving away, transfer, use, or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks, or other similar 23
383-devices and instruments added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is 24
384-designed to increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm on or after that date. 25
385- 26
386-PART V. REQUIRE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS 27
387-SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 14-315.1 is repealed. 28
388-SECTION 5.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 29
389-adding a new section to read: 30
390-"§ 14-409.44. Require safe storage of firearms. 31
391-(a) Requirement. – Except when being carried or used by the owner or another lawfully 32
392-authorized user, a person in possession or control of a firearm shall store or keep the firearm in a 33
393-locked container. For purposes of this subsection, the term "firearm" includes weapons regulated 34
394-under G.S. 14-409. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the possession 35
395-of a firearm otherwise prohibited under State or federal law. 36
396-(b) Penalty. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class A1 37
397-misdemeanor. 38
398-(c) Punitive Damages. – A violation of subsection (a) of this section constitutes wanton 39
399-conduct within the meaning of G.S. 1D-5 and subjects the violator to punitive damages in any 40
400-civil action that may be filed as a result of the violator's actions." 41
401-SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 14-315.2 reads as rewritten: 42
402-"§ 14-315.2. Warning upon sale or transfer of firearm to protect minor.firearm to safely 43
403-store firearm. 44
404-(a) Upon the retail commercial sale or transfer of any firearm, the seller or transferor shall 45
405-deliver a written copy of G.S. 14-315.1 G.S. 14-409.44 to the purchaser or transferee. 46
406-(b) Any retail or wholesale store, shop, or sales outlet that sells firearms shall 47
407-conspicuously post at each purchase counter the following warning in block letters not less than 48
408-one inch in height the phrase: "IT "EXCEPT WHEN BEING CARRIED OR USED BY THE 49
409-OWNER OR ANOTHER LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED USER, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE 50
410-OR LEAVE KEEP A FIREARM THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
411-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 9
412-REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR. "IN ANY 1
413-PLACE OTHER THAN A LOCKED CONTAINER. " 2
414-(c) A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor." 3
415-SECTION 5.(d) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 4
416-offenses committed on or after that date. 5
417- 6
418-PART VI. REVISE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR CO NCEALED HANDGUN PERM ITS 7
419-SECTION 6. G.S. 14-415.24 reads as rewritten: 8
420-"§ 14-415.24. Reciprocity; out-of-state handgun permits. 9
421-(a) A valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state is valid in North 10
422-Carolina. 11
423-(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-268, s. 22(a), effective December 1, 2011. 12
424-(c) Every 12 months after the effective date of this subsection, the Department of Justice 13
425-shall make written inquiry of the concealed handgun permitting authorities in each other state as 14
426-to: (i) whether a North Carolina resident may carry a concealed handgun in their state based upon 15
427-having a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit and permit, (ii) whether a North 16
428-Carolina resident may apply for a concealed handgun permit in that state based upon having a 17
429-valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. permit, and (iii) what the criteria are in that state 18
430-for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit. The Department of Justice shall attempt to secure 19
431-from each state permission for North Carolina residents who hold a valid North Carolina 20
432-concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in that state, either on the basis of the 21
433-North Carolina permit or on the basis that the North Carolina permit is sufficient to permit the 22
434-issuance of a similar license or permit by the other state. 23
435-(d) The Department of Justice shall identify and compile a list of the states that issue a 24
436-concealed handgun permit that requires compliance with criteria that is at least as stringent as the 25
437-criteria required for a concealed handgun in this State. A valid concealed handgun permit or 26
438-license issued by any state on the list compiled pursuant to this subsection is valid in North 27
439-Carolina." 28
440- 29
441-PART VII. REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS 30
442-SECTION 7.(a) Article 53A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 31
443-adding a new section to read: 32
444-"§ 14-409.13. Report of loss or theft of firearm. 33
445-(a) Any owner of a firearm as defined in G.S. 14-408.1(a) shall report the loss or theft of 34
446-the firearm within 48 hours after the discovery of the loss or theft to either (i) the local law 35
447-enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the loss or theft of the firearm 36
448-occurred or (ii) the State Bureau of Investigation. 37
449-(b) A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor; however, a second or subsequent 38
450-violation of this section is a Class I felony." 39
451-SECTION 7.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 40
452-offenses committed on or after that date. 41
453- 42
454-PART VIII. REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHO OWNS A FI REARM TO CARRY 43
455-FIREARM LIABILITY INSURANCE 44
456-SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 14-404(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 45
457-"(1a) Verified, before the issuance of a permit, that the person has firearm liability 46
458-insurance pursuant to G.S. 14-409.44A." 47
459-SECTION 8.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 48
460-adding a new section to read: 49
461-"§ 14-409.44A. Liability insurance required for gun owners. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
462-Page 10 House Bill 732-First Edition
463-(a) Any person in this State who intends to own a firearm shall, prior to the ownership of 1
464-the firearm, obtain, and during ownership continuously maintain, a policy of liability insurance 2
465-in an amount not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) specifically covering any 3
466-damages resulting from any negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm while it is 4
467-owned by the person. No firearm shall be transferred in this State unless the transferee at the time 5
468-of the transfer provides proof that the transferee has complied with the provisions of this section. 6
469-(b) For purposes of this section, a person is deemed to own a firearm if the firearm is lost 7
470-or stolen until the loss or theft is reported pursuant to G.S. 14-409.13. 8
471-(c) Any person who owns a firearm on December 1, 2025, shall obtain the insurance 9
472-required by this section by January 15, 2026. 10
473-(d) This section does not apply to any law enforcement officer authorized to carry a 11
474-firearm. 12
475-(e) The Department of Insurance shall adopt rules to implement this section." 13
476-SECTION 8.(c) Subsection (a) of this section is effective when it becomes law and 14
477-applies to permit applications received on or after that date. 15
680+"§ 14-51.5. Use of deadly physical force against an intruder. 5
681+(a) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any 6
682+degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against 7
683+an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder's 8
684+unlawful entry (i) if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict 9
685+serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence or (ii) if the occupant 10
686+reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence. 11
687+(b) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to 12
688+retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section. 13
689+(c) This section is not intended to repeal, expand, or limit any other defense that may 14
690+exist under the common law." 15
478691 16
479-PART IX. LIMIT THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION MA GAZINES 17
480-SECTION 9.(a) Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 18
481-Article to read: 19
482-"Article 53D. 20
483-"Regulation of Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines. 21
484-"§ 14-409.60. Definition. 22
485-For purposes of this Article, the term "large-capacity magazine" includes all of the following: 23
486-(i) a fixed or detachable magazine box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, 24
487-or that is designed to be readily converted to accept, more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) a 25
488-fixed or detachable magazine that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells; and 26
489-(iii) a detachable magazine, tube, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of 27
490-accepting more than eight shotgun shells when combined with a fixed magazine. The term does 28
491-not include any of the following: (i) a feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it 29
492-cannot accommodate more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) an attached tubular device 30
493-designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition; or (iii) a 31
494-tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm. 32
495-"§ 14-409.61. Large-capacity magazines prohibited; penalties; exceptions. 33
496-(a) It is unlawful for a person to sell, transfer, or possess a large-capacity magazine. A 34
497-violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor; provided, however, that a second or 35
498-subsequent violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. 36
499-(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section commits a Class I felony under 37
500-this section if the person possessed a large-capacity magazine during the commission of a felony. 38
501-(c) A person may possess a large-capacity magazine if the person: 39
502-(1) Owns the large-capacity magazine on December 1, 2025; and 40
503-(2) Maintains continuous possession of the large-capacity magazine. 41
504-(d) If a person who is alleged to have violated subsection (a) of this section asserts that 42
505-the person is permitted to legally possess a large-capacity magazine pursuant to subsection (c) of 43
506-this section, the prosecution has the burden of proof to refute the assertion. 44
507-(e) The offense described in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any of the 45
508-following: 46
509-(1) An entity, or any employee thereof engaged in the employee's employment 47
510-duties, that manufactures large-capacity magazines within North Carolina 48
511-exclusively for transfer or any federally licensed gun dealer, or any employee 49
512-thereof engaged in his or her official employment duties, that sells 50
513-large-capacity magazines exclusively to any of the following: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
514-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 11
515-a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 1
516-b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 2
517-Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 3
518-c. A firearms retailer for the purpose of firearms sales conducted outside 4
519-the State. 5
520-d. A foreign national government that has been approved for such 6
521-transfers by the United States government. 7
522-e. An out-of-state transferee who may legally possess a large-capacity 8
523-magazine. 9
524-(2) An employee of any of the following agencies who bears a firearm in the 10
525-course of the employee's official duties: 11
526-a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 12
527-b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 13
528-Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 14
529-(3) A person who possesses the magazine for the sole purpose of transporting the 15
530-magazine to an out-of-state entity on behalf of a manufacturer of 16
531-large-capacity magazines within North Carolina. 17
532-"§ 14-409.62. Identification markings for large-capacity magazines; rules. 18
533-(a) A large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in North Carolina on or after 19
534-December 1, 2025, must include a permanent stamp or marking indicating that the large-capacity 20
535-magazine was manufactured or assembled after that date. The stamp or marking must be legibly 21
536-and conspicuously engraved or cast upon the outer surface of the large-capacity magazine. 22
537-(b) The SBI may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section, including rules 23
538-requiring a large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in this State on or after December 1, 24
539-2025, to bear identifying information in addition to the identifying information described in 25
540-subsection (a) of this section. 26
541-(c) A person who manufactures a large-capacity magazine in North Carolina in violation 27
542-of subsection (a) of this section commits a Class 2 misdemeanor." 28
543-SECTION 9.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 29
692+PART XIV. PROHIBIT LEAVING A FIREARM IN AN UNATTENDED MOTOR 17
693+VEHICLE UNLESS FIREARM IS SAFELY STORED 18
694+SECTION 14.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 19
695+adding a new section to read: 20
696+"§ 14-269.9. Firearms in unattended motor vehicles. 21
697+(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "firearm" is as defined in 22
698+G.S. 14-408.1. 23
699+(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful to leave a firearm in an unattended motor vehicle unless 24
700+the vehicle is locked and the firearm is either (i) secured with a trigger lock or other safety device 25
701+designed to prevent an unauthorized user from operating the firearm or (ii) in a locked container. 26
702+(c) Penalty. – Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a Class 27
703+2 misdemeanor." 28
704+SECTION 14.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 29
544705 offenses committed on or after that date. 30
545706 31
546-PART X. REPEAL PREEMPTION OF LOCAL FIREARM REGULA TIONS 32
547-SECTION 10. G.S. 14-409.40 is repealed. 33
548- 34
549-PART XI. ALLOW DESTR UCTION OF SEIZED FIREARMS 35
550-SECTION 11.(a) G.S. 15-11.1(b1)(3) reads as rewritten: 36
551-"(3) By ordering the firearm turned over to be destroyed by the sheriff of the county 37
552-in which the firearm was seized or by his duly authorized agent if the firearm 38
553-does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use 39
554-because of wear, damage, age, or modification. agent. The sheriff shall 40
555-maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 41
556-SECTION 11.(b) G.S. 15-11.2(d)(1) reads as rewritten: 42
557-"(1) By having the firearm destroyed if the firearm does not have a legible, unique 43
558-identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or 44
559-modification and will not be disposed of pursuant to subdivision (3) of this 45
560-subsection. destroyed. The head or chief of the law enforcement agency shall 46
561-maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 47
562-SECTION 11.(c) G.S. 14-269.1(4) reads as rewritten: 48
563-"(4) By ordering such weapon any firearm turned over to the sheriff of the county 49
564-in which the trial is held or his duly authorized agent to be destroyed if the 50
565-firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
566-Page 12 House Bill 732-First Edition
567-use because of wear, damage, age, or modification. destroyed. The sheriff 1
568-shall maintain a record of the destruction thereof." 2
569- 3
570-PART XII. REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBL IC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A 4
571-ROSTER OF HANDGUNS T HAT MEET CERTAIN DES IGN AND SAFETY 5
572-STANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE, T RANSFER, OWNERSHIP, OR 6
573-POSSESSION OF HANDGU NS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THE ROSTER 7
574-SECTION 12.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 8
575-adding a new section to read: 9
576-"§ 14-406.2. Prohibition on sale, transfer, ownership, or possession of unsafe handgun. 10
577-(a) Findings. – The General Assembly finds all of the following: 11
578-(1) There is a lack of design and safety standards imposed on pistols under federal 12
579-and State law. 13
580-(2) A lack of design and safety standards results in the sale of poorly constructed 14
581-pistols, which can lead to unintentional shootings and other harms. 15
582-(3) Multiple states have utilized the following design and safety tests performed 16
583-by independent handgun testing laboratories to develop rosters of handguns 17
584-that satisfy the tests and are approved for sale within the state's jurisdiction: 18
585-a. Firing tests. 19
586-b. Drop tests. 20
587-c. Melting point tests. 21
588-(4) It is in the public interest to ensure, in a timely manner, that handguns that do 22
589-not meet design and safety standards are not sold, transferred, owned, or 23
590-possessed in this State. 24
591-(5) The most efficient and expeditious method for ensuring unsafe handguns are 25
592-not sold in this State is to develop a roster of approved handguns for sale in 26
593-this State that is based off the rosters developed in other states. 27
594-(b) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 28
595-(1) Antique firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 29
596-(2) California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. – A roster compiled by the 30
597-Department of Justice for the State of California pursuant to California Penal 31
598-Code § 12131 that lists all of the pistols, revolvers, and other firearms that 32
599-have been tested by a certified testing laboratory and determined not to be 33
600-unsafe. 34
601-(3) Dealer. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 35
602-(4) Department. – The Department of Public Safety. 36
603-(5) Handgun. – As defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 37
604-(c) Development; Prohibition. – The Department shall develop a roster of handguns 38
605-determined not to be unsafe based off the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. 39
606-Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, it is unlawful for any person, firm, 40
607-or corporation to (i) manufacture, sell, give, loan, import, or otherwise transfer a handgun that is 41
608-not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the calendar year in which the handgun is to be sold, 42
609-given, loaned, imported, or otherwise transferred or (ii) own or possess a handgun that is not 43
610-listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable calendar year, unless the person, firm, or 44
611-corporation lawfully owned or possessed the handgun prior to that date. 45
612-(d) Disposition. – A person who is the lawful owner of a handgun that is not listed on the 46
613-roster developed under subsection (c) of this section as of January 1 of the applicable calendar 47
614-year may only sell or otherwise transfer the handgun to a dealer or the sheriff of the county in 48
615-which the person resides. The sheriff may destroy the handgun or dispose of the handgun in 49
616-accordance with subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14-269.1. A dealer who retains in the dealer's 50
617-inventory, or who otherwise lawfully acquires, a handgun not listed on the roster as of January 1 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
618-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 13
619-of the applicable calendar year may sell or otherwise transfer the handgun only to another dealer. 1
620-A person may not transfer a handgun not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable 2
621-calendar year by devise or bequest. 3
622-(e) Exemptions. – This section does not apply to any of the following: 4
623-(1) An antique firearm. 5
624-(2) A handgun defined as curios or relics, as those terms are defined in section 6
625-478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 7
626-(3) A handgun that is designed expressly for use in Olympic target shooting 8
627-events. 9
628-(4) A handgun used solely as a prop during the course of a motion picture, 10
629-television, or video production by an authorized participant in the course of 11
630-making that production or event or by an authorized employee or agent of the 12
631-entity producing that production or event. 13
632-(5) The temporary transfer of a lawfully owned handgun for the purposes of 14
633-cleaning, repairing, or servicing the handgun by a dealer. 15
634-(6) The possession of a handgun by a nonresident of the State while temporarily 16
635-traveling through the State. 17
636-(7) A handgun exempted by the Department in accordance with subsection (g) of 18
637-this section. 19
638-(f) Testing. – The Department may test, or contract with an independent handgun testing 20
639-laboratory to test, handguns (i) that the Department believes should be added to the roster 21
640-required under subsection (c) of this section or (ii) that the Department believes, based on credible 22
641-information received by the Department from at least two credible sources, should be removed 23
642-from the roster required under subsection (c) of this section. The Department may only utilize 24
643-one of the tests described in subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section when testing 25
644-handguns under this subsection. The Department may utilize the authority granted under 26
645-subsection (g) of this section to add or remove handguns under this subsection from the roster 27
646-required under subsection (c) of this section. 28
647-(g) Annual Update. – By January 1, the Department shall annually review the California 29
648-Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale and update, by rule, the roster required under subsection 30
649-(c) of this section and any exemptions authorized under subdivision (7) of subsection (e) of this 31
650-section of approved pistols developed by other states and update the roster developed in 32
651-accordance with this subsection accordingly. The Department may also utilize the rulemaking 33
652-authority granted under this subsection to update the roster required under subsection (c) of this 34
653-section with any handguns tested under subsection (f) of this section and approved by the 35
654-Department for sale in this State. 36
655-(h) Dissemination. – At least 30 days prior to the date a roster developed and updated in 37
656-accordance with this section is to take effect, the Department shall publish the roster and any 38
657-updates on its website. 39
658-(i) Penalty. – Any person violating the provisions of subsections (c) and (d) of this 40
659-section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor." 41
660-SECTION 12.(b) The initial roster developed under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by 42
661-subsection (a) of this section, shall be based on the California Roster of Handguns Certified for 43
662-Sale as of January 1, 2026. 44
663-SECTION 12.(c) By January 15, 2026, the Department of Public Safety shall (i) 45
664-submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety 46
665-detailing the development of the roster required under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by subsection 47
666-(a) of this section, and the types of handguns that are included on the roster and (ii) publish the 48
667-roster on its website in accordance with G.S. 14-406.2(c). 49
668-SECTION 12.(d) This section becomes effective January 1, 2026. 50
669- 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
670-Page 14 House Bill 732-First Edition
671-PART XIII. REPEAL "STAND YOUR GROUND LAW S" AND CODIFY COMMON 1
672-LAW REGARDING USE OF FORCE AGAINST AN INTRUDER 2
673-SECTION 13.(a) The following statutes are repealed: G.S. 14-51.2, 14-51.3, and 3
674-14-51.4. 4
675-SECTION 13.(b) Article 14 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 5
676-adding a new section to read: 6
677-"§ 14-51.5. Use of deadly physical force against an intruder. 7
678-(a) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any 8
679-degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against 9
680-an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder's 10
681-unlawful entry (i) if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict 11
682-serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence or (ii) if the occupant 12
683-reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence. 13
684-(b) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to 14
685-retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section. 15
686-(c) This section is not intended to repeal, expand, or limit any other defense that may 16
687-exist under the common law." 17
688- 18
689-PART XIV. PROHIBIT L EAVING A FIREARM IN AN UNATTENDED MOTOR 19
690-VEHICLE UNLESS FIREA RM IS SAFELY STORED 20
691-SECTION 14.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 21
692-adding a new section to read: 22
693-"§ 14-269.9. Firearms in unattended motor vehicles. 23
694-(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "firearm" is as defined in 24
695-G.S. 14-408.1. 25
696-(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful to leave a firearm in an unattended motor vehicle unless 26
697-the vehicle is locked and the firearm is either (i) secured with a trigger lock or other safety device 27
698-designed to prevent an unauthorized user from operating the firearm or (ii) in a locked container. 28
699-(c) Penalty. – Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a Class 29
700-2 misdemeanor." 30
701-SECTION 14.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 31
702-offenses committed on or after that date. 32
703- 33
704-PART XV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF GHOST GUNS 34
705-SECTION 15.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 35
706-adding a new section to read: 36
707-"§ 14-409B. Ghost guns prohibited. 37
708-(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "ghost gun" means a firearm, 38
709-including a frame or receiver, that lacks a unique serial number engraved or cased in metal alloy 39
710-on the frame or receiver by a licensed manufacturer, maker, or importer under federal law or 40
711-markings in accordance with 27 C.F.R. § 479.102. This term does not include a firearm that has 41
712-been rendered permanently inoperable or a firearm that is not required to have a serial number in 42
713-accordance with the federal Gun Control Act of 1968. 43
714-(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 44
715-sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess a ghost gun. 45
716-(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 46
717-SECTION 15.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 47
718-offenses committed on or after that date. 48
719- 49
720-PART XVI. PROHIBIT P OSSESSION OF SEMIAUT OMATIC FIREARMS BY 50
721-PERSONS UNDER 18 YEA RS OF AGE 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
722-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 15
723-SECTION 16.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 1
724-adding a new section to read: 2
725-"§ 14-269.7A. Prohibition on semiautomatic firearms for persons under 18 years of age. 3
726-(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "semiautomatic firearm" means a 4
727-selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the option of the user. This term 5
728-does not include a firearm prohibited under G.S. 14-409 or federal law. 6
729-(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful for a person under 18 years of age to willfully and 7
730-intentionally possess or carry a semiautomatic firearm. 8
731-(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 9
732-(d) Exception. – This section does not apply to officers and enlisted personnel of the 10
733-Armed Forces of the United States when in discharge of their official duties or acting under 11
734-orders requiring them to carry a semiautomatic firearm." 12
735-SECTION 16.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 13
736-offenses committed on or after that date. 14
737- 15
738-PART XVII. REQUIRE THE SHERIFF UPON DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL 16
739-TO RENEW A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT OR P ISTOL PERMIT TO 17
740-TRANSMIT THE PROHIBI TION RECORD TO THE N ATIONAL INSTANT 18
741-CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM 19
742-SECTION 17.(a) G.S. 14-404, as reenacted in subsection (c) of Section 2 of this act, 20
743-is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 21
744-"(b2) If the sheriff denies a person's application for a permit under this Article, and the 22
745-ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal Background Check 23
746-System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not later than 48 hours 24
747-after notifying the applicant of the denial, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 25
748-SECTION 17.(b) Article 54B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 26
749-adding a new section to read: 27
750-"§ 14-415.18A. Sheriff to report denial, revocation, or refusal to renew permit to NICS. 28
751-If the sheriff denies, revokes, or refuses to renew a person's application for a permit under 29
752-this Article, and the ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal 30
753-Background Check System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not 31
754-later than 48 hours after notifying the applicant of the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew the 32
755-permit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 33
756- 34
757-PART XVIII. DIRECT THE STATE TREASURER T O DIVEST THE PENSION FUND 35
758-OF GUN STOCKS 36
759-SECTION 18. Chapter 147 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 37
760-Article to read: 38
761-"Article 9. 39
762-"Firearms Manufacturer Divestment Act. 40
763-"§ 147-95. Definitions. 41
764-As used in this Article, the following definitions apply: 42
765-(1) Company. – Any sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, 43
766-partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, 44
767-limited liability company, or other entity or business association, including all 45
768-wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, parent companies, 46
769-or affiliates of such entities or business associations, that exists for 47
770-profit-making purposes. 48
771-(2) Direct holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 49
772-held directly by the Public Fund or in an account or fund in which the Public 50
773-Fund owns all shares or interests. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
774-Page 16 House Bill 732-First Edition
775-(3) Firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.39(2), as well as weapons of mass death 1
776-and destruction described in G.S. 14-288.8(c). 2
777-(4) Firearms manufacturer. – A company that develops, designs, creates, 3
778-fabricates, assembles, or reassembles firearms or ammunition. 4
779-(5) Indirect holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 5
780-held in an account or fund, such as a mutual fund, managed by one or more 6
781-persons not employed by the Public Fund, in which the Public Fund owns 7
782-shares or interests together with other investors not subject to the provisions 8
783-of this Article. 9
784-(6) Public Fund. – Any funds held by the State Treasurer to the credit of: 10
785-a. The Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. 11
786-b. The Consolidated Judicial Retirement System. 12
787-c. The Firemen's and Rescue Workers' Pension Fund. 13
788-d. The Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. 14
789-e. The Legislative Retirement System. 15
790-f. The Legislative Retirement Fund. 16
791-g. The North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund. 17
792-"§ 147-96. Identification of firearms manufacturers. 18
793-(a) Within 90 days of September 1, 2025, the Public Fund shall make its best efforts to 19
794-identify all firearms manufacturers in which the Public Fund has direct or indirect holdings or 20
795-could possibly have such holdings in the future. Such efforts shall include, as appropriate: 21
796-(1) Reviewing and relying, as appropriate in the Public Fund's judgment, on 22
797-publicly available information regarding firearms manufacturers, including 23
798-information provided by nonprofit organizations, research firms, international 24
799-organizations, and government entities. 25
800-(2) Contacting asset managers contracted by the Public Fund that invest in 26
801-firearms manufacturers. 27
802-(3) Contacting other institutional investors that have divested from firearms 28
803-manufacturers. 29
804-(b) By the first meeting of the Public Fund following the 90-day period described in 30
805-subsection (a) of this section, the Public Fund shall assemble a list of all firearms manufacturers 31
806-in which the Public Fund holds direct or indirect investments. 32
807-"§ 147-97. Required actions. 33
808-(a) Subject to all applicable laws related to prudent investment, the State Treasurer shall 34
809-promptly divest all direct and indirect holdings in firearms manufacturers held by the Public 35
810-Fund. 36
811-(b) At no time shall the Public Fund acquire direct or indirect holdings in firearms 37
812-manufacturers." 38
813- 39
814-PART XIX. ALLOW ISSUANCE OF EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS 40
815-SECTION 19.(a) The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to 41
816-read: 42
817-"Chapter 50E. 43
818-"Extreme Risk Protection Orders. 44
819-"§ 50E-1. Title of Chapter. 45
820-This Chapter may be cited as the "Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act." 46
821-"§ 50E-2. Purpose. 47
822-The purpose of this Chapter is to reduce gun deaths and injuries, while respecting 48
823-constitutional rights, by providing a court procedure for concerned citizens and law enforcement 49
824-to obtain an order temporarily restricting a person's access to firearms. The court orders 50
825-authorized under this Chapter are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
826-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 17
827-a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm and include 1
828-standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law. 2
829-"§ 50E-3. Definitions. 3
830-The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 4
831-(1) Extreme Risk Protection Order or ERPO. – An order granted under this 5
832-Chapter, which includes a remedy authorized under G.S. 50E-6. 6
833-(2) Family or household member. – Any of the following: 7
834-a. A person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the respondent. 8
835-b. A person who is in a dating relationship, or has been in a dating 9
836-relationship, with the respondent. For purposes of this 10
837-sub-subdivision, a dating relationship is one wherein the parties are 11
838-romantically involved over time and on a continuous basis during the 12
839-course of the relationship, but is not any of the following: 13
840-1. A casual acquaintance. 14
841-2. Ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social 15
842-context. 16
843-3. A dating relationship that ended more than one year before the 17
844-date the petitioner filed a petition for an ERPO under this 18
845-Chapter. 19
846-c. A person who has a child in common with the respondent, regardless 20
847-of whether the person has been married to the respondent or has lived 21
848-together with the respondent at any time. 22
849-d. A domestic partner of the respondent. 23
850-e. A person who has a biological or legal parent-child relationship with 24
851-the respondent, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and 25
852-grandchildren. 26
853-f. A person who is acting or has acted as the respondent's legal guardian. 27
854-(3) Firearm. – Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to 28
855-or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, 29
856-or its frame or receiver. 30
857-"§ 50E-4. Commencement of action. 31
858-(a) Petition. – Any of the following may file a verified petition in district court for an 32
859-ERPO: 33
860-(1) A family or household member. 34
861-(2) A current or former spouse or dating partner. 35
862-(3) A law enforcement officer or agency. 36
863-(4) A health care provider. 37
864-(b) Venue. – A petition for an ERPO is governed by G.S. 1-82. 38
865-(c) Required Information in Petition. – A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter shall 39
866-include all of the following: 40
867-(1) An allegation that the respondent poses a danger of physical harm to self or 41
868-others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control 42
869-a firearm. If the petitioner is seeking an ex parte ERPO, the petition shall 43
870-include an allegation that the respondent poses an imminent danger of physical 44
871-harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, 45
872-ownership, or control a firearm. The allegation required under this subdivision 46
873-shall include facts to support the allegation. 47
874-(2) An identification, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, of the number, 48
875-types, and locations of firearms under the respondent's custody or control. 49
876-(3) An identification of any existing protection order under State law governing 50
877-the respondent. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
878-Page 18 House Bill 732-First Edition
879-(4) An identification of any pending lawsuits, complaints, petitions, or other 1
880-actions between the petitioner and the respondent. 2
881-(d) Verification of Terms of Existing Orders. – The clerk of court shall verify the terms 3
882-of any existing protection orders governing the petitioner and respondent. The court shall not 4
883-delay or deny granting relief because of the existence of a pending action between the petitioner 5
884-and respondent or the necessity of verifying the terms of an existing protection order. 6
885-(e) Nondisclosure of Address. – A petitioner with a current and valid Address 7
886-Confidentiality Program authorization card issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15C of 8
887-the General Statutes may use the substitute address designated by the Address Confidentiality 9
888-Program when filing with the court any document required under this Chapter. If a petitioner 10
889-does not have a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card, but 11
890-submits to the court a copy of a protective order without attachments, if any, issued to the 12
891-petitioner under G.S. 50B-3 or a lawful order of any court of competent jurisdiction restricting 13
892-the access or contact of one or more persons with the petitioner, accompanied by a signed 14
893-statement that the petitioner has good reason to believe that the physical safety of the petitioner 15
894-or a member of the petitioner's family residing with the petitioner would be jeopardized if the 16
895-petitioner's address were open to public inspection, that petitioner's address shall be kept 17
896-confidential. 18
897-(f) Court Costs. – No court costs shall be assessed for the filing or service of the petition, 19
898-or the service of any ERPOs. 20
899-(g) Electronic Filing. – All documents filed, issued, registered, or served in an action 21
900-under this Chapter relating to an ERPO may be filed electronically. 22
901-(h) Report. – Beginning December 1, 2025, and occurring annually thereafter, the 23
902-Administrative Office of the Courts shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight 24
903-Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division that includes all of the 25
904-following information: 26
905-(1) The number of petitions filed under this Chapter during the prior calendar 27
906-year. 28
907-(2) The number of ex parte ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 29
908-(3) The number of ex parte ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 30
909-calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 31
910-(4) The number of final ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 32
911-(5) The number of final ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 33
912-calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 34
913-"§ 50E-5. Process. 35
914-(a) Summons Required. – Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 50E-8, a petition for an 36
915-ERPO requires that a summons be issued and served not later than five days prior to the date set 37
916-for the final ERPO hearing. Attachments to the summons shall include the petition for any ERPO, 38
917-any ex parte ERPO that has been issued and the notice of hearing on the ex parte ERPO, and a 39
918-description of what an ERPO is. 40
919-(b) Service of the Summons and Attachments. – The clerk of court shall effect service of 41
920-the summons and any attachments through the appropriate law enforcement agency where the 42
921-respondent is to be served. 43
922-"§ 50E-6. ERPO requirements; remedy; mental health or chemical dependency evaluation. 44
923-(a) Required Information in ERPO. – An ERPO issued under this Chapter shall include 45
924-all of the following: 46
925-(1) A statement of the grounds supporting issuance of the ERPO. 47
926-(2) The date and time the ERPO was issued. 48
927-(3) The date and time the ERPO expires. 49
928-(4) Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the 50
929-respondent is required. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
930-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 19
931-(5) The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed. 1
932-(6) A description of the requirements for relinquishment and retrieval of any 2
933-firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry 3
934-concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, ownership, or control of the 4
935-respondent. 5
936-(7) A description of the process for seeking termination of the ERPO. 6
937-(8) A statement that a violation of the ERPO is punishable as a Class A1 7
938-misdemeanor. 8
939-(b) Remedy Granted. – Upon issuance of an ERPO, including an ex parte ERPO, the 9
940-court shall order the respondent to surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, permits to 10
941-purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, 11
942-possession, ownership, or control of the respondent. 12
943-(c) Mental Health or Chemical Dependency Evaluation. – During a hearing for issuance 13
944-of an ERPO, the court shall consider whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency 14
945-evaluation of the respondent is appropriate and may order the respondent to undergo evaluation 15
946-if appropriate. 16
947-"§ 50E-7. Hearing and issuance of a final Extreme Risk Protection Order. 17
948-(a) Hearing. – A court shall hold a hearing on a petition for a final ERPO no later than 18
949-10 days from either of the following dates: 19
950-(1) If an ex parte ERPO has been issued, the date the ex parte ERPO was issued. 20
951-(2) If subdivision (1) of this subsection does not apply, the date the petition for a 21
952-final ERPO was served on the respondent. 22
953-A continuance shall be limited to one extension of no more than 10 days unless all parties 23
954-consent or good cause is shown. 24
955-(b) Order. – A court may issue a final ERPO if all of the following requirements are met: 25
956-(1) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a 26
957-danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his or her 27
958-custody a firearm. In determining whether the requirement set forth in this 28
959-subdivision is met, the court may consider any relevant evidence, including, 29
960-but not limited to, any of the following: 30
961-a. A recent act or threat of violence, or a pattern of acts or threats of 31
962-violence within the 12 months preceding the petition, by the 32
963-respondent against himself, herself, or others, whether or not the 33
964-violence or threat of violence involves a firearm or other weapon. 34
965-b. Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill or having 35
966-recurring mental health issues. 36
967-c. A violation by the respondent of an order issued under Chapter 50B, 37
968-50C, or 50D of the General Statutes. 38
969-d. A previous or existing ERPO issued against the respondent, including 39
970-whether the respondent committed a violation of the previous or 40
971-existing ERPO. 41
972-e. Whether the respondent, in this State or any other state, has been 42
973-convicted of or had adjudication withheld on a crime that constitutes 43
974-domestic violence as defined in G.S. 50B-1 or a crime involving 44
975-violence or a threat of violence. 45
976-f. The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm by 46
977-the respondent. 47
978-g. The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force by the respondent 48
979-against another person or the respondent stalking another person. 49
980-h. Evidence of the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol by the 50
981-respondent. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
982-Page 20 House Bill 732-First Edition
707+PART XV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF GHOST GUNS 32
708+SECTION 15.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 33
709+adding a new section to read: 34
710+"§ 14-409B. Ghost guns prohibited. 35
711+(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "ghost gun" means a firearm, 36
712+including a frame or receiver, that lacks a unique serial number engraved or cased in metal alloy 37
713+on the frame or receiver by a licensed manufacturer, maker, or importer under federal law or 38
714+markings in accordance with 27 C.F.R. § 479.102. This term does not include a firearm that has 39
715+been rendered permanently inoperable or a firearm that is not required to have a serial number in 40
716+accordance with the federal Gun Control Act of 1968. 41
717+(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 42
718+sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess a ghost gun. 43
719+(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 44
720+SECTION 15.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 45
721+offenses committed on or after that date. 46
722+ 47
723+PART XVI. PROHIBIT POSSESSION OF SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM S BY 48
724+PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE 49
725+SECTION 16.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 50
726+adding a new section to read: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
727+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 15
728+"§ 14-269.7A. Prohibition on semiautomatic firearms for persons under 18 years of age. 1
729+(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "semiautomatic firearm" means a 2
730+selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the option of the user. This term 3
731+does not include a firearm prohibited under G.S. 14-409 or federal law. 4
732+(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful for a person under 18 years of age to willfully and 5
733+intentionally possess or carry a semiautomatic firearm. 6
734+(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 7
735+(d) Exception. – This section does not apply to officers and enlisted personnel of the 8
736+Armed Forces of the United States when in discharge of their official duties or acting under 9
737+orders requiring them to carry a semiautomatic firearm." 10
738+SECTION 16.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 11
739+offenses committed on or after that date. 12
740+ 13
741+PART XVII. REQUIRE THE SHERIFF UPON DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL 14
742+TO RENEW A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT OR PISTOL PERMIT TO 15
743+TRANSMIT THE PROHIBITION RECORD TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT 16
744+CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM 17
745+SECTION 17.(a) G.S. 14-404, as reenacted in subsection (c) of Section 2 of this act, 18
746+is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 19
747+"(b2) If the sheriff denies a person's application for a permit under this Article, and the 20
748+ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal Background Check 21
749+System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not later than 48 hours 22
750+after notifying the applicant of the denial, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 23
751+SECTION 17.(b) Article 54B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 24
752+adding a new section to read: 25
753+"§ 14-415.18A. Sheriff to report denial, revocation, or refusal to renew permit to NICS. 26
754+If the sheriff denies, revokes, or refuses to renew a person's application for a permit under 27
755+this Article, and the ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal 28
756+Background Check System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not 29
757+later than 48 hours after notifying the applicant of the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew the 30
758+permit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 31
759+ 32
760+PART XVIII. DIRECT THE STATE TREASURER TO DIVEST THE PENSION FUND 33
761+OF GUN STOCKS 34
762+SECTION 18. Chapter 147 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 35
763+Article to read: 36
764+"Article 9. 37
765+"Firearms Manufacturer Divestment Act. 38
766+"§ 147-95. Definitions. 39
767+As used in this Article, the following definitions apply: 40
768+(1) Company. – Any sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, 41
769+partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, 42
770+limited liability company, or other entity or business association, including all 43
771+wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, parent companies, 44
772+or affiliates of such entities or business associations, that exists for 45
773+profit-making purposes. 46
774+(2) Direct holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 47
775+held directly by the Public Fund or in an account or fund in which the Public 48
776+Fund owns all shares or interests. 49
777+(3) Firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.39(2), as well as weapons of mass death 50
778+and destruction described in G.S. 14-288.8(c). 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
779+Page 16 DRH10345-MLp-49A
780+(4) Firearms manufacturer. – A company that develops, designs, creates, 1
781+fabricates, assembles, or reassembles firearms or ammunition. 2
782+(5) Indirect holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 3
783+held in an account or fund, such as a mutual fund, managed by one or more 4
784+persons not employed by the Public Fund, in which the Public Fund owns 5
785+shares or interests together with other investors not subject to the provisions 6
786+of this Article. 7
787+(6) Public Fund. – Any funds held by the State Treasurer to the credit of: 8
788+a. The Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. 9
789+b. The Consolidated Judicial Retirement System. 10
790+c. The Firemen's and Rescue Workers' Pension Fund. 11
791+d. The Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. 12
792+e. The Legislative Retirement System. 13
793+f. The Legislative Retirement Fund. 14
794+g. The North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund. 15
795+"§ 147-96. Identification of firearms manufacturers. 16
796+(a) Within 90 days of September 1, 2025, the Public Fund shall make its best efforts to 17
797+identify all firearms manufacturers in which the Public Fund has direct or indirect holdings or 18
798+could possibly have such holdings in the future. Such efforts shall include, as appropriate: 19
799+(1) Reviewing and relying, as appropriate in the Public Fund's judgment, on 20
800+publicly available information regarding firearms manufacturers, including 21
801+information provided by nonprofit organizations, research firms, international 22
802+organizations, and government entities. 23
803+(2) Contacting asset managers contracted by the Public Fund that invest in 24
804+firearms manufacturers. 25
805+(3) Contacting other institutional investors that have divested from firearms 26
806+manufacturers. 27
807+(b) By the first meeting of the Public Fund following the 90-day period described in 28
808+subsection (a) of this section, the Public Fund shall assemble a list of all firearms manufacturers 29
809+in which the Public Fund holds direct or indirect investments. 30
810+"§ 147-97. Required actions. 31
811+(a) Subject to all applicable laws related to prudent investment, the State Treasurer shall 32
812+promptly divest all direct and indirect holdings in firearms manufacturers held by the Public 33
813+Fund. 34
814+(b) At no time shall the Public Fund acquire direct or indirect holdings in firearms 35
815+manufacturers." 36
816+ 37
817+PART XIX. ALLOW ISSUANCE OF EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS 38
818+SECTION 19.(a) The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to 39
819+read: 40
820+"Chapter 50E. 41
821+"Extreme Risk Protection Orders. 42
822+"§ 50E-1. Title of Chapter. 43
823+This Chapter may be cited as the "Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act." 44
824+"§ 50E-2. Purpose. 45
825+The purpose of this Chapter is to reduce gun deaths and injuries, while respecting 46
826+constitutional rights, by providing a court procedure for concerned citizens and law enforcement 47
827+to obtain an order temporarily restricting a person's access to firearms. The court orders 48
828+authorized under this Chapter are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses 49
829+a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm and include 50
830+standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
831+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 17
832+"§ 50E-3. Definitions. 1
833+The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 2
834+(1) Extreme Risk Protection Order or ERPO. – An order granted under this 3
835+Chapter, which includes a remedy authorized under G.S. 50E-6. 4
836+(2) Family or household member. – Any of the following: 5
837+a. A person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the respondent. 6
838+b. A person who is in a dating relationship, or has been in a dating 7
839+relationship, with the respondent. For purposes of this 8
840+sub-subdivision, a dating relationship is one wherein the parties are 9
841+romantically involved over time and on a continuous basis during the 10
842+course of the relationship, but is not any of the following: 11
843+1. A casual acquaintance. 12
844+2. Ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social 13
845+context. 14
846+3. A dating relationship that ended more than one year before the 15
847+date the petitioner filed a petition for an ERPO under this 16
848+Chapter. 17
849+c. A person who has a child in common with the respondent, regardless 18
850+of whether the person has been married to the respondent or has lived 19
851+together with the respondent at any time. 20
852+d. A domestic partner of the respondent. 21
853+e. A person who has a biological or legal parent-child relationship with 22
854+the respondent, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and 23
855+grandchildren. 24
856+f. A person who is acting or has acted as the respondent's legal guardian. 25
857+(3) Firearm. – Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to 26
858+or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, 27
859+or its frame or receiver. 28
860+"§ 50E-4. Commencement of action. 29
861+(a) Petition. – Any of the following may file a verified petition in district court for an 30
862+ERPO: 31
863+(1) A family or household member. 32
864+(2) A current or former spouse or dating partner. 33
865+(3) A law enforcement officer or agency. 34
866+(4) A health care provider. 35
867+(b) Venue. – A petition for an ERPO is governed by G.S. 1-82. 36
868+(c) Required Information in Petition. – A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter shall 37
869+include all of the following: 38
870+(1) An allegation that the respondent poses a danger of physical harm to self or 39
871+others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control 40
872+a firearm. If the petitioner is seeking an ex parte ERPO, the petition shall 41
873+include an allegation that the respondent poses an imminent danger of physical 42
874+harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, 43
875+ownership, or control a firearm. The allegation required under this subdivision 44
876+shall include facts to support the allegation. 45
877+(2) An identification, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, of the number, 46
878+types, and locations of firearms under the respondent's custody or control. 47
879+(3) An identification of any existing protection order under State law governing 48
880+the respondent. 49
881+(4) An identification of any pending lawsuits, complaints, petitions, or other 50
882+actions between the petitioner and the respondent. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
883+Page 18 DRH10345-MLp-49A
884+(d) Verification of Terms of Existing Orders. – The clerk of court shall verify the terms 1
885+of any existing protection orders governing the petitioner and respondent. The court shall not 2
886+delay or deny granting relief because of the existence of a pending action between the petitioner 3
887+and respondent or the necessity of verifying the terms of an existing protection order. 4
888+(e) Nondisclosure of Address. – A petitioner with a current and valid Address 5
889+Confidentiality Program authorization card issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15C of 6
890+the General Statutes may use the substitute address designated by the Address Confidentiality 7
891+Program when filing with the court any document required under this Chapter. If a petitioner 8
892+does not have a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card, but 9
893+submits to the court a copy of a protective order without attachments, if any, issued to the 10
894+petitioner under G.S. 50B-3 or a lawful order of any court of competent jurisdiction restricting 11
895+the access or contact of one or more persons with the petitioner, accompanied by a signed 12
896+statement that the petitioner has good reason to believe that the physical safety of the petitioner 13
897+or a member of the petitioner's family residing with the petitioner would be jeopardized if the 14
898+petitioner's address were open to public inspection, that petitioner's address shall be kept 15
899+confidential. 16
900+(f) Court Costs. – No court costs shall be assessed for the filing or service of the petition, 17
901+or the service of any ERPOs. 18
902+(g) Electronic Filing. – All documents filed, issued, registered, or served in an action 19
903+under this Chapter relating to an ERPO may be filed electronically. 20
904+(h) Report. – Beginning December 1, 2025, and occurring annually thereafter, the 21
905+Administrative Office of the Courts shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight 22
906+Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division that includes all of the 23
907+following information: 24
908+(1) The number of petitions filed under this Chapter during the prior calendar 25
909+year. 26
910+(2) The number of ex parte ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 27
911+(3) The number of ex parte ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 28
912+calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 29
913+(4) The number of final ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 30
914+(5) The number of final ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 31
915+calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 32
916+"§ 50E-5. Process. 33
917+(a) Summons Required. – Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 50E-8, a petition for an 34
918+ERPO requires that a summons be issued and served not later than five days prior to the date set 35
919+for the final ERPO hearing. Attachments to the summons shall include the petition for any ERPO, 36
920+any ex parte ERPO that has been issued and the notice of hearing on the ex parte ERPO, and a 37
921+description of what an ERPO is. 38
922+(b) Service of the Summons and Attachments. – The clerk of court shall effect service of 39
923+the summons and any attachments through the appropriate law enforcement agency where the 40
924+respondent is to be served. 41
925+"§ 50E-6. ERPO requirements; remedy; mental health or chemical dependency evaluation. 42
926+(a) Required Information in ERPO. – An ERPO issued under this Chapter shall include 43
927+all of the following: 44
928+(1) A statement of the grounds supporting issuance of the ERPO. 45
929+(2) The date and time the ERPO was issued. 46
930+(3) The date and time the ERPO expires. 47
931+(4) Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the 48
932+respondent is required. 49
933+(5) The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
934+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 19
935+(6) A description of the requirements for relinquishment and retrieval of any 1
936+firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry 2
937+concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, ownership, or control of the 3
938+respondent. 4
939+(7) A description of the process for seeking termination of the ERPO. 5
940+(8) A statement that a violation of the ERPO is punishable as a Class A1 6
941+misdemeanor. 7
942+(b) Remedy Granted. – Upon issuance of an ERPO, including an ex parte ERPO, the 8
943+court shall order the respondent to surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, permits to 9
944+purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, 10
945+possession, ownership, or control of the respondent. 11
946+(c) Mental Health or Chemical Dependency Evaluation. – During a hearing for issuance 12
947+of an ERPO, the court shall consider whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency 13
948+evaluation of the respondent is appropriate and may order the respondent to undergo evaluation 14
949+if appropriate. 15
950+"§ 50E-7. Hearing and issuance of a final Extreme Risk Protection Order. 16
951+(a) Hearing. – A court shall hold a hearing on a petition for a final ERPO no later than 17
952+10 days from either of the following dates: 18
953+(1) If an ex parte ERPO has been issued, the date the ex parte ERPO was issued. 19
954+(2) If subdivision (1) of this subsection does not apply, the date the petition for a 20
955+final ERPO was served on the respondent. 21
956+A continuance shall be limited to one extension of no more than 10 days unless all parties 22
957+consent or good cause is shown. 23
958+(b) Order. – A court may issue a final ERPO if all of the following requirements are met: 24
959+(1) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a 25
960+danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his or her 26
961+custody a firearm. In determining whether the requirement set forth in this 27
962+subdivision is met, the court may consider any relevant evidence, including, 28
963+but not limited to, any of the following: 29
964+a. A recent act or threat of violence, or a pattern of acts or threats of 30
965+violence within the 12 months preceding the petition, by the 31
966+respondent against himself, herself, or others, whether or not the 32
967+violence or threat of violence involves a firearm or other weapon. 33
968+b. Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill or having 34
969+recurring mental health issues. 35
970+c. A violation by the respondent of an order issued under Chapter 50B, 36
971+50C, or 50D of the General Statutes. 37
972+d. A previous or existing ERPO issued against the respondent, including 38
973+whether the respondent committed a violation of the previous or 39
974+existing ERPO. 40
975+e. Whether the respondent, in this State or any other state, has been 41
976+convicted of or had adjudication withheld on a crime that constitutes 42
977+domestic violence as defined in G.S. 50B-1 or a crime involving 43
978+violence or a threat of violence. 44
979+f. The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm by 45
980+the respondent. 46
981+g. The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force by the respondent 47
982+against another person or the respondent stalking another person. 48
983+h. Evidence of the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol by the 49
984+respondent. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
985+Page 20 DRH10345-MLp-49A
983986 i. Evidence of recent acquisition of firearms or ammunition by the 1
984987 respondent. 2
985988 j. Witness testimony, taken while the witness is under oath, relating to 3
986989 the matter before the court. 4
987990 (2) Process was served on the respondent in accordance with the requirements of 5
988991 this Chapter. 6
989992 (3) Notice of hearing was given to the respondent in accordance with the 7
990993 requirements of this Chapter. 8
991994 "§ 50E-8. Hearing and issuance of an ex parte Extreme Risk Protection Order. 9
992995 (a) Hearing. – Upon receipt of a petition for an ex parte ERPO, the court shall hold a 10
993996 hearing in person on the day the petition is filed or the day immediately following the day the 11
994997 petition is filed. 12
995998 (b) Order. – If the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the 13
996999 respondent poses an imminent danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his 14
9971000 or her custody a firearm, a judge or magistrate of district court may issue an ex parte ERPO 15
9981001 before a hearing for a final ERPO and without evidence of service of process or notice. 16
9991002 (c) Requirements. – An ex parte ERPO granted without notice shall meet all of the 17
10001003 following requirements: 18
10011004 (1) The ERPO shall be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance. 19
10021005 (2) The ERPO shall be filed immediately in the clerk's office and entered of 20
10031006 record. 21
10041007 (3) The ERPO shall include a statement detailing why the ERPO was granted 22
10051008 without notice. 23
10061009 (4) The ERPO shall include the applicable information required under 24
10071010 G.S. 50E-6(a). 25
10081011 (5) The ERPO shall expire by its terms within a specified amount of time after 26
10091012 entry, not to exceed the limits set forth in G.S. 50E-10(a). 27
10101013 (d) Court Out of Session. – When the court is not in session, the petitioner may file for 28
10111014 an ex parte ERPO before any judge or magistrate designated by the chief district court judge to 29
10121015 grant relief under this Chapter. If the judge or magistrate finds that the requirements of this 30
10131016 section have been met, the judge or magistrate may issue an ex parte ERPO. The chief district 31
10141017 court judge may designate for each county at least one judge or magistrate to be reasonably 32
10151018 available to issue ex parte ERPOs when the court is not in session. 33
10161019 (e) Video Conference. – Hearings held to consider ex parte relief pursuant to subsection 34
10171020 (a) of this section may be held via video conference. 35
10181021 "§ 50E-9. Surrender, retrieval, and disposal of firearms. 36
10191022 (a) Surrender of Firearms. – Upon service of an ERPO, the respondent shall immediately 37
10201023 surrender to the sheriff possession of all firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and 38
10211024 permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control 39
10221025 of the respondent. In the event that weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the ERPO is 40
10231026 served, the respondent shall surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff 41
10241027 within 24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff. The sheriff shall store the 42
10251028 firearms or contract with a licensed firearms dealer to provide storage. 43
10261029 (b) Failure to Surrender. – Upon the sworn statement of the petitioner or the sheriff 44
10271030 alleging that the respondent has failed to comply with the surrender of firearms required under 45
10281031 subsection (a) of this section, the court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe 46
10291032 that the respondent has failed to surrender all firearms in his or her care, custody, possession, 47
10301033 ownership, or control. If probable cause exists, the court shall issue a warrant describing the 48
10311034 firearms and authorizing (i) a search of the locations where the firearms are reasonably believed 49
10321035 to be and (ii) seizure of any firearms discovered pursuant to the search. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
1033-House Bill 732-First Edition Page 21
1036+DRH10345-MLp-49A Page 21
10341037 (c) Receipt. – At the time of surrender or seizure, the sheriff taking possession of a 1
10351038 firearm shall issue a receipt identifying all firearms that have been surrendered or seized and shall 2
10361039 provide a copy of the receipt to the respondent. Within 48 hours after issuing the receipt, the 3
10371040 officer shall file the original receipt with the court and shall also retain a copy for the sheriff's 4
10381041 records. 5
10391042 (d) Fee. – The sheriff may charge the respondent a reasonable fee for the storage of any 6
10401043 firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to an ERPO. The fees are payable to the sheriff. The 7
10411044 sheriff shall transmit the proceeds of these fees to the county finance officer. The fees shall be 8
10421045 used by the sheriff to pay the costs of administering this section. The county shall expend the 9
10431046 restricted funds for these purposes only. The sheriff shall not release firearms, ammunition, or 10
10441047 permits without a court order granting the release. The respondent shall remit all fees owed prior 11
10451048 to the authorized return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits. The sheriff shall not incur any 12
10461049 civil or criminal liability for alleged damage or deterioration due to storage or transportation of 13
10471050 any firearms or ammunition held pursuant to this section. 14
10481051 (e) Retrieval. – If the court does not enter a final ERPO when the ex parte ERPO expires, 15
10491052 the respondent may retrieve any firearms, ammunition, or permits surrendered to the sheriff 16
10501053 unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from owning or possessing a 17
10511054 firearm pursuant to State or federal law. 18
10521055 (f) Motion for Return. – The respondent may request the return of any firearms, 19
10531056 ammunition, or permits surrendered by filing a motion with the court after the expiration or 20
10541057 termination of the ERPO. Unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from 21
10551058 owning or possessing a firearm pursuant to State or federal law, all firearms, ammunition, and 22
10561059 permits surrendered by the respondent shall be returned within 30 days of the date the motion 23
10571060 was received by the court. If the court does not enter a final ERPO when the ex parte ERPO 24
10581061 expires, and the court orders the return of the items to the respondent, the respondent is not 25
10591062 required to pay any fees imposed under subsection (d) of this section and the sheriff shall 26
10601063 promptly refund to the respondent any fees already paid pursuant to subsection (d) of this section 27
10611064 for the storage of any items taken pursuant to the ex parte ERPO. 28
10621065 (g) Motion for Return by Third Party. – A third-party owner of firearms or ammunition 29
10631066 who is otherwise eligible to possess the items may file a motion requesting the return to the third 30
10641067 party of any of the items in the possession of the sheriff surrendered or seized as a result of the 31
10651068 entry of an ERPO. The third-party owner shall also provide proof of ownership of the firearms 32
10661069 or ammunition. Upon receipt of the third party's motion, the court shall schedule a hearing and 33
10671070 provide written notice to all parties and the sheriff. The court shall order return of the items to 34
10681071 the third party unless the third-party owner fails to provide proof of ownership or certification as 35
10691072 required under this subsection, or the court determines that the third party is disqualified from 36
10701073 owning or possessing the items pursuant to State or federal law. If the court orders the return of 37
10711074 the items to the third party, the third party is not required to pay any fees imposed under 38
10721075 subsection (d) of this section. If the court denies the return of the items to the third party, the 39
10731076 items shall be disposed of by the sheriff as provided in subsection (h) of this section. 40
10741077 (h) Disposal of Firearms. – If the respondent or a third-party owner does not file a motion 41
10751078 within the applicable time period prescribed by this section requesting the return of any 42
10761079 surrendered firearms, ammunition, or permits; if the court determines that the respondent or 43
10771080 third-party owner is precluded from regaining possession of any surrendered firearms, 44
10781081 ammunition, or permits; or if the respondent fails to remit all fees owed for the storage of the 45
10791082 firearms or ammunition within 30 days of the entry of the order granting the return of the 46
10801083 firearms, ammunition, or permits, the sheriff who has control of the firearms, ammunition, or 47
10811084 permits shall give notice to the respondent and the sheriff shall apply to the court for an order of 48
10821085 disposition of the firearms, ammunition, or permits. The judge, after a hearing, may order the 49
10831086 sheriff in possession, or the sheriff's duly authorized agent, to destroy the firearms, ammunition, 50
10841087 and permits, or to dispose of the firearms, ammunition, and permits in one or more of the ways 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
1085-Page 22 House Bill 732-First Edition
1088+Page 22 DRH10345-MLp-49A
10861089 authorized by law, including subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14-269.1. The sheriff shall 1
10871090 maintain a record of any firearms, ammunition, and permits destroyed in accordance with this 2
10881091 subsection. If a sale by the sheriff does occur, any proceeds from the sale after deducting any 3
10891092 costs associated with the storage and sale, in accordance with all applicable State and federal law, 4
10901093 shall be provided to the respondent if ordered by the judge. 5
10911094 "§ 50E-10. Duration; renewal of ERPOs. 6
10921095 (a) Duration of Ex Parte ERPO. – Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an ex 7
10931096 parte ERPO shall be effective until the date a hearing is held under G.S. 50E-7. If a hearing is 8
10941097 not held or a continuance was not granted, an ex parte ERPO shall be effective for not more than 9
10951098 10 days from the date the ex parte ERPO was issued. 10
10961099 (b) Duration of Final ERPO. – A final ERPO shall be effective for a fixed period of time 11
10971100 not to exceed one year. 12
10981101 (c) Renewal. – Any ERPO may be renewed one or more times, as required, provided that 13
10991102 the requirements of G.S. 50E-7 or G.S. 50E-8, as appropriate, are satisfied. The court may renew 14
11001103 an ERPO, including an ERPO that previously has been renewed, upon a motion by the petitioner 15
11011104 filed before the expiration of the current ERPO. Upon a motion for a renewal, the court shall hold 16
11021105 a hearing no later than 10 days after the date the motion is served on the respondent. The court 17
11031106 may renew an ex parte or final ERPO if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that 18
11041107 there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the respective ERPO. 19
11051108 The commission of an act of unlawful conduct by the respondent after entry of the current ERPO 20
11061109 is not required for an ERPO to be renewed. If the motion for renewal is uncontested and the 21
11071110 petitioner seeks no modification of the ERPO, the ERPO may be renewed if the petitioner's 22
11081111 motion or affidavit states that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since 23
11091112 entry of the ERPO and states the reason for the requested renewal. 24
11101113 (d) Expiration Date. – An ERPO expiring on a day the court is not open for business shall 25
11111114 expire in accordance with the provisions of Rule 6(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, G.S. 1A-1. 26
11121115 "§ 50E-11. Termination of an Extreme Risk Protection Order. 27
11131116 (a) Motion. – The respondent may request the termination of a final ERPO by filing a 28
11141117 motion with the court. The respondent may submit no more than one motion for termination for 29
11151118 every 12-month period the final ERPO is in effect, starting from the date of the final ERPO and 30
11161119 continuing through any renewals. 31
11171120 (b) Hearing. – Upon receipt of a request for a hearing to terminate a final ERPO, the court 32
11181121 shall set a date for a hearing. Notice of the request for a hearing shall be served on the petitioner 33
11191122 in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court shall set the date for the 34
11201123 hearing no sooner than 10 days and no later than 30 days from the date of service of the request 35
11211124 upon the petitioner. 36
11221125 (c) Burden of Proof; Termination. – The respondent shall have the burden of proving, by 37
11231126 a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent does not pose a danger of causing physical 38
11241127 harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a 39
11251128 firearm. If the court finds after the hearing that the respondent has met his or her burden, the 40
11261129 court shall terminate the final ERPO. 41
11271130 "§ 50E-12. Notice. 42
11281131 (a) Notice Law Enforcement; Entry into National Database. – The clerk of court shall 43
11291132 deliver on the same day that an ERPO is issued a certified copy of that ERPO to the sheriff of 44
11301133 the county in which the ERPO is issued. Any order extending, modifying, or revoking an ERPO 45
11311134 shall be promptly delivered to the sheriff by the clerk and served in a manner provided for service 46
11321135 of process. The sheriff shall promptly enter the ERPO into the National Crime Information Center 47
11331136 registry and shall provide for access of such orders to the courts on a continuous basis. 48
11341137 Modifications, terminations, renewals, and dismissals of the ERPO shall also be promptly 49
11351138 entered. A copy of the ERPO shall be issued promptly to and retained by the police department 50
11361139 of the municipality of the petitioner's residence. If the petitioner's residence is not located in a 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
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11381141 municipality or is in a municipality with no police department, copies shall be issued promptly 1
11391142 to and retained by the sheriff of the county in which the petitioner's residence is located. 2
11401143 (b) Notice to Respondent. – If the respondent was not present in court when the ERPO 3
11411144 was issued, the respondent may be served in the manner provided for service of process in civil 4
11421145 proceedings in accordance with Rule 4(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. If the summons has 5
11431146 not yet been served upon the respondent, it shall be served with the ERPO. Law enforcement 6
11441147 agencies shall accept receipt of copies of the ERPO issued by the clerk of court by electronic 7
11451148 transmission for service on respondents. 8
11461149 (c) Notice to Third Parties. – If the petitioner for an ERPO is a law enforcement officer 9
11471150 or agency, the officer or agency shall provide, or attempt to provide, notice of the petition to any 10
11481151 known third party who may be at risk of unlawful conduct from the respondent. 11
11491152 "§ 50E-13. Prohibition; violation. 12
11501153 (a) Prohibition. – It is unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, or receive, or attempt 13
11511154 to possess, purchase, or receive, a firearm, ammunition, or permits to purchase or carry concealed 14
11521155 firearms, for so long as an ERPO entered against that person in accordance with this Chapter is 15
11531156 in effect. 16
11541157 (b) Violation. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section or any other term of 17
11551158 an ERPO is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor. 18
11561159 "§ 50E-14. False statement regarding ERPO a misdemeanor. 19
11571160 A person who knowingly makes a false statement when petitioning for an ERPO under this 20
11581161 Chapter, or who knowingly makes a false statement to a law enforcement agency or officer that 21
11591162 an ERPO entered pursuant to this Chapter remains in effect, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 22
11601163 "§ 50E-15. Remedies not exclusive. 23
11611164 The remedies provided by this Chapter are not exclusive but are additional to other remedies 24
11621165 provided under law. 25
11631166 "§ 50E-16. Liability. 26
11641167 Except as provided in G.S. 50E-13 or G.S. 50E-14, this Chapter shall not be interpreted to 27
11651168 impose any criminal or civil liability on any person or entity for acts or omissions related to 28
11661169 obtaining an ERPO, including reporting, declining to report, investigating, declining to 29
11671170 investigate, filing, or declining to file a petition under this Chapter." 30
11681171 SECTION 19.(b) Chapter 15C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten: 31
11691172 "Chapter 15C. 32
11701173 "Address Confidentiality Program. 33
11711174 "§ 15C-1. Purpose. 34
11721175 The purpose of this Chapter is to enable the State and the agencies of North Carolina to 35
11731176 respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a petitioner for an 36
11741177 Extreme Risk Protection Order or a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or 37
11751178 human trafficking; to enable interagency cooperation in providing address confidentiality for 38
11761179 victims a petitioner for an Extreme Risk Protection Order or a victim of domestic violence, sexual 39
11771180 offense, stalking, or human trafficking; and to enable the State and its agencies to accept a 40
11781181 program participant's use of an address designated by the Office of the Attorney General as a 41
11791182 substitute address. 42
11801183 "§ 15C-2. Definitions. 43
11811184 The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 44
11821185 … 45
11831186 (2) Address Confidentiality Program or Program. – A program in the Office of 46
11841187 the Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO 47
11851188 petitioner or a relocated victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or 48
11861189 stalking to prevent the petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants 49
11871190 from finding the petitioner or victim through public records. 50
11881191 … 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
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11901193 (5a) ERPO petitioner. – The person who petitions for an Extreme Risk Protection 1
11911194 Order under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes. 2
11921195 … 3
11931196 "§ 15C-3. Address Confidentiality Program. 4
11941197 The General Assembly establishes the Address Confidentiality Program in the Office of the 5
11951198 Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO petitioner or a relocated 6
11961199 victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking to prevent the 7
11971200 petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants from finding the petitioner or victim 8
11981201 through public records. Under this Program, the Attorney General shall designate a substitute 9
11991202 address for a program participant and act as the agent of the program participant for purposes of 10
12001203 service of process and receiving and forwarding first-class mail or certified or registered mail. 11
12011204 The Attorney General shall not be required to forward any mail other than first-class mail or 12
12021205 certified or registered mail to the program participant. The Attorney General shall not be required 13
12031206 to track or otherwise maintain records of any mail received on behalf of a program participant 14
12041207 unless the mail is certified or registered mail. 15
12051208 "§ 15C-4. Filing and certification of applications; authorization card. 16
12061209 (a) An individual who wants to participate in the Address Confidentiality Program shall 17
12071210 file an application with the Attorney General with the assistance of an application assistant. Any 18
12081211 of the following individuals may apply to the Attorney General to have an address designated by 19
12091212 the Attorney General to serve as the substitute address of the individual: 20
12101213 (1) An adult individual. 21
12111214 (2) A parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor when the minor resides with 22
12121215 the individual. 23
12131216 (3) A guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated individual. 24
12141217 (b) The application shall be dated, signed, and verified by the applicant and shall be 25
12151218 signed by the application assistant who assisted in the preparation of the application. 26
12161219 (c) The application shall contain all of the following: 27
12171220 (1) A statement by the applicant that the applicant is an ERPO petitioner or a 28
12181221 victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking 29
12191222 and that the applicant fears for the applicant's safety or the safety of the 30
12201223 applicant's child. 31
12211224 (2) Evidence Except for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the 32
12221225 applicant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human 33
12231226 trafficking. For an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the 34
12241227 applicant is at risk from violence or other unlawful conduct from the 35
12251228 respondent in a petition filed under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes. This 36
12261229 evidence may include any of the following: 37
12271230 a. Law enforcement, court, or other federal or state agency records or 38
12281231 files. 39
12291232 b. Documentation from a domestic violence program if the applicant is 40
12301233 alleged to be a victim of domestic violence. 41
12311234 c. Documentation from a religious, medical, or other professional from 42
12321235 whom the applicant has sought assistance in dealing with the alleged 43
12331236 domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking. 44
12341237 d. Documentation submitted to support a victim of human trafficking's 45
12351238 application for federal assistance or benefits under federal human 46
12361239 trafficking laws. 47
12371240 … 48
12381241 (4) A Except for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, a statement by the 49
12391242 applicant that the applicant has or will confidentially relocate in North 50
12401243 Carolina. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
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12421245 … 1
12431246 (7) The address that the applicant requests not to be disclosed by the Attorney 2
12441247 General that directly relates to the increased risk of domestic violence, sexual 3
12451248 offense, or stalking.stalking, or other unlawful conduct. 4
12461249 …." 5
12471250 SECTION 19.(c) Development of Forms. – The Administrative Office of the Courts 6
12481251 shall develop the appropriate forms to implement the processes provided under Chapter 50E of 7
12491252 the General Statutes, as enacted by this section. 8
12501253 SECTION 19.(d) G.S. 50B-3.1(d) reads as rewritten: 9
12511254 "(d) Surrender. – Upon service of the order, the defendant shall immediately surrender to 10
12521255 the sheriff possession of all firearms, machine guns, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, 11
12531256 and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or 12
12541257 control of the defendant. In the event that weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the order is 13
12551258 served, the defendant shall surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 14
12561259 24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff. If the defendant fails to surrender 15
12571260 the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 24 hours of service, the court shall 16
12581261 order the sheriff to seize the firearms, ammunitions, and permits. The sheriff shall store the 17
12591262 firearms or contract with a licensed firearms dealer to provide storage. 18
12601263 (1) If the court orders the defendant to surrender firearms, ammunition, and 19
12611264 permits, the court shall inform the plaintiff and the defendant of the terms of 20
12621265 the protective order and include these terms on the face of the order, including 21
12631266 that the defendant is prohibited from possessing, purchasing, or receiving or 22
12641267 attempting to possess, purchase, or receive a firearm for so long as the 23
12651268 protective order or any successive protective order is in effect. The terms of 24
12661269 the order shall include instructions as to how the defendant may request 25
12671270 retrieval of any firearms, ammunition, and permits surrendered to the sheriff 26
12681271 when the protective order is no longer in effect. The terms shall also include 27
12691272 notice of the penalty for violation of G.S. 14-269.8. 28
12701273 (2) The sheriff may charge the defendant a reasonable fee for the storage of any 29
12711274 firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to a protective order. The fees are 30
12721275 payable to the sheriff. The sheriff shall transmit the proceeds of these fees to 31
12731276 the county finance officer. The fees shall be used by the sheriff to pay the costs 32
12741277 of administering this section and for other law enforcement purposes. The 33
12751278 county shall expend the restricted funds for these purposes only. The sheriff 34
12761279 shall not release firearms, ammunition, or permits without a court order 35
12771280 granting the release. The defendant must remit all fees owed prior to the 36
12781281 authorized return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits. The sheriff shall 37
12791282 not incur any civil or criminal liability for alleged damage or deterioration due 38
12801283 to storage or transportation of any firearms or ammunition held pursuant to 39
12811284 this section." 40
12821285 SECTION 19.(e) Subsections (a) through (c) of this section become effective 41
12831286 October 1, 2025. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to 42
12841287 orders issued on or after that date. 43
12851288 44
12861289 PART XX. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE/SAVINGS CLAUSE/EFFECTIVE DATE 45
12871290 SECTION 20.(a) If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, the 46
12881291 invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect 47
12891292 without the invalid provisions or application and, to this end, the provisions of this act are 48
12901293 severable. 49 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
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12921295 SECTION 20.(b) Prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of 1
12931296 this act are not abated or affected by this act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for 2
12941297 this act remain applicable to those prosecutions. 3
12951298 SECTION 20.(c) Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes 4
12961299 law. 5