North Carolina House Bill H732 Latest Draft

                            GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA 
SESSION 2025 
H 	1 
HOUSE BILL 732 
 
 
Short Title: Common Sense Gun Regulations. 	(Public) 
Sponsors: Representatives Harrison, Morey, Belk, and Dew (Primary Sponsors). 
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site. 
Referred to: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House 
April 3, 2025 
*H732 -v-1* 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1 
AN ACT TO REQUIRE A PERMIT FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON OR 2 
LONG GUN; TO REQUIRE A SEVENTY-TWO-HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE A 3 
PURCHASED FIREARM MA Y BE DELIVERED OR OTHERWISE POSSESSED; TO 4 
PROHIBIT THE SALE OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON OR LONG GUN TO PERSO NS 5 
UNDER A CERTAIN AGE; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF A BUMP 6 
STOCK OR TRIGGER CRANK; TO REQUIRE THE SAFE STORAGE OF A FIREARM; 7 
TO REVISE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR A CONCEALE D HANDGUN PERMIT; TO 8 
REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF A LOST OR STOLEN FIREARM; TO REQUIRE ANY 9 
PERSON WHO OWNS A FIREARM TO CARRY FIREA RM LIABILITY INSURANCE; 10 
TO LIMIT THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION MAGAZINE S; TO REPEAL THE 11 
PREEMPTION OF LOCAL REGULATION OF FIREAR MS; TO ALLOW THE 12 
DESTRUCTION OF A SEIZED FIREARM; TO REQU IRE THE DEPARTMENT OF 13 
PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A ROSTER OF HANDGUNS THAT MEET CERT AIN 14 
DESIGN AND SAFETY ST ANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE, TRANSFER, 15 
OWNERSHIP, OR POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS THA T ARE NOT INCLUDED O N 16 
THE ROSTER; TO REPEAL THE "STAND YOUR GR OUND LAWS" AND CODI FY 17 
COMMON LAW REGARDING USE OF FORCE AGAINS T AN INTRUDER; TO 18 
PROHIBIT LEAVING A FIREARM IN AN UNATTENDED MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS 19 
FIREARM IS SAFELY STORED; TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF 20 
GHOST GUNS; TO PROHIBIT POSSESSION OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREAR M BY 21 
PERSONS UNDER TWENTY -ONE YEARS OF AGE; TO REQUIRE THE SHERIFF 22 
UPON DENIAL, REVOCAT ION, OR REFUSAL TO R ENEW A CONCEALED 23 
HANDGUN PERMIT OR PI STOL PERMIT TO TRANS MIT THE PROHIBITION 24 
RECORD TO THE NATION AL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK 25 
SYSTEM; TO DIRECT THE STATE TREASURER TO DIVEST THE PENSION FUND 26 
OF GUN STOCKS; TO AU THORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF AN EXTREME RISK 27 
PROTECTION ORDER TO RESTRICT TEMPORARILY A PERSON'S ACCESS TO 28 
FIREARMS IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE PERSON POSES A DANGER OF 29 
PHYSICAL HARM TO SELF OR OTHERS; AND TO REQUIRE A COURT TO ORDER 30 
THE SEIZURE OF ANY FIREARM, AMMUNITION, OR PERMITS A DEFENDA NT 31 
FAILS TO SURRENDER A FTER THE ISSUANCE OF AN EMERGENCY OR EX 32 
PARTE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER . 33 
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 34 
 35  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 2  House Bill 732-First Edition 
PART I. TITLE OF ACT 1 
SECTION 1. This act shall be known as "The Comprehensive Common-Sense 2 
Approach to Reducing Gun Violence Act." 3 
 4 
PART II. PERMIT REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE OF ASSAULT WEAPON OR L ONG 5 
GUN AND WAITING PERI OD REQUIRED BETWEEN PURCHASE AND DELIVER Y 6 
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 14-402, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 7 
and reads as rewritten: 8 
"§ 14-402.  Sale of certain weapons without permit forbidden. 9 
(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation in this State to sell, give away, or 10 
transfer, or to purchase or receive, at any place within this State from any other place within or 11 
without the State any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless: (i) a license or permit is 12 
first obtained under this Article by the purchaser or receiver from the sheriff of the county in 13 
which the purchaser or receiver resides; or (ii) a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit 14 
is held under Article 54B of this Chapter by the purchaser or receiver who must be a resident of 15 
the State at the time of the purchase. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person in this State to 16 
receive a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun unless a period of 72 hours has passed from the date 17 
of purchase or agreement to give away or transfer the pistol, assault weapon, or long gun. 18 
It is unlawful for any person or persons to receive from any postmaster, postal clerk, 19 
employee in the parcel post department, rural mail carrier, express agent or employee, railroad 20 
agent or employee within the State of North Carolina any pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long 21 
gun without having in his or their possession and without exhibiting at the time of the delivery 22 
of the same and to the person delivering the same the permit from the sheriff as provided in 23 
G.S. 14-403. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 2 24 
misdemeanor. 25 
(b) This section does not apply to an antique firearm or an historic edged weapon. 26 
(c) The following definitions apply in this Article: 27 
(1) Antique firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 28 
(1a) Assault weapon. – The term includes all of the following: 29 
a. Any selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the 30 
option of the user. The term also includes all of the following 31 
semiautomatic firearms: 32 
1. Algimec Agmi. 33 
2. Armalite AR-180. 34 
3. Australian Automatic Arms SAP Pistol. 35 
4. Auto-Ordnance Thompson type. 36 
5. Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type. 37 
6. Barrett Light-Fifty model 82A1. 38 
7. Beretta AR-70. 39 
8. Bushmaster Auto Rifle and Auto Pistol. 40 
9. Calico models M-900, M-950, and 100-P. 41 
10. Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88. 42 
11. Colt AR-15 and Sporter. 43 
12. Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max-1, and Max-2. 44 
13. Encom MK-IV, MP-9, and MP-45. 45 
14. Fabrique Nationale FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FN/FNC. 46 
15. FAMAS MAS 223. 47 
16. Feather AT-9 and Mini-AT. 48 
17. Federal XC-900 and XC-450. 49 
18. Franchi SPAS-12 and LAW-12. 50 
19. Galil AR and ARM. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 3 
20. Goncz High-Tech Carbine and High-Tech Long Pistol. 1 
21. Heckler & Koch HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, and SP-89. 2 
22. Holmes MP-83. 3 
23. MAC-10, MAC-11, and MAC-11 Carbine type. 4 
24. Intratec TEC-9 and Scorpion. 5 
25. Iver Johnson Enforcer model 3000. 6 
26. Ruger Mini-14/5F folding stock model. 7 
27. Scarab Skorpion. 8 
28. SIG 57 AMT and 500 series. 9 
29. Spectre Auto Carbine and Auto Pistol. 10 
30. Springfield Armory BM59, SAR-48, and G-3. 11 
31. Sterling MK-6 and MK-7. 12 
32. Steyr AUG. 13 
33. Street Sweeper and Striker-12 revolving cylinder shotguns. 14 
34. USAS-12. 15 
35. UZI Carbine, Mini-Carbine, and Pistol. 16 
36. Weaver Arms Nighthawk. 17 
37. Wilkinson "Linda" Pistol. 18 
b. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire rifles, or copies or 19 
duplicates with the capability of the rifles: 20 
1. AK-47. 21 
2. AK-74. 22 
3. AKM. 23 
4. AKS-74U. 24 
5. ARM. 25 
6. MAADI AK47. 26 
7. MAK90. 27 
8. MISR. 28 
9. NHM90 and NHM91. 29 
10. Norinco 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S. 30 
11. Poly Technologies AKS and AK47. 31 
12. SA 85. 32 
13. SA 93. 33 
14. VEPR. 34 
15. WASR-10. 35 
16. WUM. 36 
17. Rock River Arms LAR-47. 37 
18. Vector Arms AK-47. 38 
19. AR-10. 39 
20. AR-15. 40 
21. Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster XM15, Bushmaster ACR 41 
Rifles, and Bushmaster MOE Rifles. 42 
22. Colt Match Target Rifles. 43 
23. Armalite M15. 44 
24. Olympic Arms AR-15, A1, CAR, PCR, K3B, K30R, K16, 45 
K48, K8, and K9 Rifles. 46 
25. DPMS Tactical Rifles. 47 
26. Smith and Wesson M&P15 Rifles. 48 
27. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 49 
28. Doublestar AR Rifles. 50 
29. Barrett REC7. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 4  House Bill 732-First Edition 
30. Beretta Storm. 1 
31. Calico Liberty 50, 50 Tactical, 100, 100 Tactical, I, I Tactical, 2 
II, and II Tactical Rifles. 3 
32. Hi-Point Carbine Rifles. 4 
33. HK-PSG-1. 5 
34. Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU Rifles, and RFB. 6 
35. Remington Tactical Rifle Model 7615. 7 
36. SAR-8, SAR-4800, and SR9. 8 
37. SLG 95. 9 
38. SLR 95 and 96. 10 
39. TNW M230 and M2HB. 11 
40. Vector Arms UZI. 12 
41. Galil and Galil Sporter. 13 
42. Daewoo AR 100 and AR 110C. 14 
43. Fabrique Nationale/FN 308 Match and L1A1 Sporter. 15 
44. HK USC. 16 
45. IZHMASH Saiga AK. 17 
46. SIG Sauer 551-A1, 556, 516, 716, and M400 Rifles. 18 
47. Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S. 19 
48. Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine. 20 
49. Barrett M107A1. 21 
c. All of the following semiautomatic centerfire pistols, or copies or 22 
duplicates with the capability of the pistols: 23 
1. Centurion 39 AK. 24 
2. Draco AK-47. 25 
3. HCR AK-47. 26 
4. IO Inc. Hellpup AK-47. 27 
5. Mini-Draco AK-47. 28 
6. Yugo Krebs Krink. 29 
7. American Spirit AR-15. 30 
8. Bushmaster Carbon 15. 31 
9. Doublestar Corporation AR. 32 
10. DPMS AR-15. 33 
11. Olympic Arms AR-15. 34 
12. Rock River Arms LAR-15. 35 
13. Calico Liberty III and III Tactical Pistols. 36 
14. Masterpiece Arms MPA Pistols and Velocity Arms VMA 37 
Pistols. 38 
15. Intratec TEC-DC9 and AB-10. 39 
16. Colefire Magnum. 40 
17. German Sport 522 PK and Chiappa Firearms Mfour-22. 41 
18. DSA SA58 PKP FAL. 42 
19. I.O. Inc. PPS-43C. 43 
20. Kel-Tec PLR 16 Pistol. 44 
21. Sig Sauer P516 and P556 Pistols. 45 
22. Thompson TA5 Pistols. 46 
d. All IZHMASH Saiga 12 Shotguns, or copies or duplicates with the 47 
capability of the shotguns. 48 
e. All semiautomatic firearms that meet any of the following criteria: 49 
1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the ability to accept 50 
a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 5 
I. A folding or telescoping stock. 1 
II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 2 
thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 3 
would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 4 
in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 5 
trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 6 
action of the weapon when firing. 7 
III. A forward pistol grip. 8 
IV. A flash suppressor. 9 
V. A grenade launcher or flare launcher. 10 
2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine 11 
with the ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 12 
3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of 13 
less than 30 inches. 14 
4. A semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a 15 
detachable magazine and has at least one of the following: 16 
I. An ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine 17 
that attaches at some location outside of the pistol grip. 18 
II. A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash 19 
suppressor, forward pistol grip, or silencer. 20 
III. A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely 21 
encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to fire 22 
the firearm without being burned, except a slide that 23 
encloses the barrel. 24 
IV. A second hand grip. 25 
5. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the 26 
ability to accept more than 10 rounds. 27 
6. A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following: 28 
I. A folding or telescoping stock. 29 
II. Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a 30 
thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which 31 
would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting 32 
in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the 33 
trigger finger being directly below any portion of the 34 
action of the weapon when firing. 35 
7. A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a 36 
detachable magazine. 37 
8. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder. 38 
(4) Historic edged weapon. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.12. 39 
(4a) Long guns. – A shotgun or rifle that is not considered an antique firearm or 40 
assault weapon, as those terms are defined under this section." 41 
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 14-403, as it existed immediately before its repeal, is reenacted 42 
and reads as rewritten: 43 
"§ 14-403.  Permit issued by sheriff; form of permit; expiration of permit. 44 
The sheriffs of any and all counties of this State shall issue to any person, firm, or corporation 45 
in any county a permit to purchase or receive any weapon mentioned in this Article from any 46 
person, firm, or corporation offering to sell or dispose of the weapon. The permit shall expire 47 
five years from the date of issuance. The permit shall be a standard form created by the State 48 
Bureau of Investigation in consultation with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, shall be of 49 
a uniform size and material, and shall be designed with security features intended to minimize 50 
the ability to counterfeit or replicate the permit and shall be set forth as follows: 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 6  House Bill 732-First Edition 
North Carolina, 1 
________ County. 2 
I, ________, Sheriff of said County, do hereby certify that I have conducted a criminal 3 
background check of the applicant, ________ whose place of residence is ________ in ________ 4 
(or) in ________ Township, ________ County, North Carolina, and have received no 5 
information to indicate that it would be a violation of State or federal law for the applicant to 6 
purchase, transfer, receive, or possess a handgun. The applicant has further satisfied me as to his, 7 
her (or) their good moral character. Therefore, a permit is issued to ________ to purchase one 8 
pistol pistol, one assault weapon, or one long gun from any person, firm or corporation authorized 9 
to dispose of the same. 10 
This permit expires five years from its date of issuance. 11 
This __ day of ______, ____. 12 
 ___________________________________  13 
 	Sheriff. 14 
The standard permit created by this section shall be used statewide by the sheriffs of any and 15 
all counties and, when issued by a sheriff, shall also contain an embossed seal unique to the office 16 
of the issuing sheriff." 17 
SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 14-315(b1)(1), 14-404, 14-405, 14-407.1, and 122C-54(d2), as 18 
they existed immediately before their repeal, are reenacted. 19 
SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 14-404(c)(1), as reenacted in subsection (c) of this section, 20 
reads as rewritten: 21 
"(1) One who is under an indictment or information for or has been convicted in 22 
any state, or in any court of the United States, of a felony (other than an offense 23 
pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, or restraints of trade). 24 
However, a person who has been convicted of a felony in a court of any state 25 
or in a court of the United States and (i) who is later pardoned, or (ii) whose 26 
firearms rights have been restored pursuant to G.S. 14-415.4, may obtain a 27 
permit, if the purchase or receipt of a pistol pistol, assault weapon, or long gun 28 
permitted in this Article does not violate a condition of the pardon or 29 
restoration of firearms rights." 30 
SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 14-408.1(a)(2) reads as rewritten: 31 
"(2) Firearm. – A handgun, assault weapon, shotgun, or rifle which expels a 32 
projectile by action of an explosion." 33 
SECTION 2.(f) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 34 
the sale, giving away, transfer, purchase, or receiving of a pistol, assault weapon, or long gun on 35 
or after that date. 36 
 37 
PART III. PROHIBIT SALE OF ASSAULT WEAPO NS OR LONG GUNS TO PERSONS 38 
UNDER A CERTAIN AGE 39 
SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 14-269.7 reads as rewritten: 40 
"§ 14-269.7.  Prohibitions on handguns firearms for minors. 41 
(a) Any minor who willfully and intentionally possesses or carries a handgun handgun, 42 
long gun, or assault weapon is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 43 
(b) This section does not apply: 44 
(1) To officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States 45 
when in discharge of their official duties or acting under orders requiring them 46 
to carry handguns.handguns, long guns, or assault weapons. 47 
(2) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 48 
for educational or recreational purposes while the minor is supervised by an 49 
adult who is present. 50  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 7 
(3) To an emancipated minor who possesses such handgun handgun, long gun, or 1 
assault weapon inside his or her residence. 2 
(4) To a minor who possesses a handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 3 
while hunting or trapping outside the limits of an incorporated municipality if 4 
he has on his person written permission from a parent, guardian, or other 5 
person standing in loco parentis. 6 
(c) The following definitions apply in this section: 7 
(1) Assault weapon. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 8 
(1a) Handgun. – A firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be fired by the 9 
use of a single hand, or any combination of parts from which such a firearm 10 
can be assembled. 11 
(1b) Long gun. – As defined in G.S. 14-402. 12 
(2) Minor. – Any person under 18 years of age." 13 
SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 14-315 reads as rewritten: 14 
"§ 14-315.  Selling or giving weapons to minors. 15 
(a) Sale of Weapons Other Than Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault 16 
Weapons. – If a person sells, offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any pistol 17 
cartridge, brass knucks, bowie knife, dirk, shurikin, leaded cane, or slungshot, the person is guilty 18 
of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition, shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation 19 
of this section. 20 
(a1) Sale of Handguns. Handguns, Long Guns, and Assault Weapons. – If a person sells, 21 
offers for sale, gives, or in any way transfers to a minor any handgun as defined in G.S. 14-269.7, 22 
handgun, long gun, or assault weapon, the person is guilty of a Class H felony and, in addition, 23 
shall forfeit the proceeds of any sale made in violation of this section. This section does not apply 24 
in any of the following circumstances: 25 
(1) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is lent to a minor for 26 
temporary use if the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or 27 
assault weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not 28 
otherwise unlawful. 29 
(2) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is transferred to an adult 30 
custodian pursuant to Chapter 33A of the General Statutes, and the minor does 31 
not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 32 
except that the adult custodian may allow the minor temporary possession of 33 
the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in which 34 
the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 35 
is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise unlawful. 36 
(3) The handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon is a devise and is 37 
distributed to a parent or guardian under G.S. 28A-22-7, and the minor does 38 
not take possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon 39 
except that the parent or guardian may allow the minor temporary possession 40 
of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault weapon in circumstances in 41 
which the minor's possession of the handgun handgun, long gun, or assault 42 
weapon is lawful under G.S. 14-269.7 and G.S. 14-316 and is not otherwise 43 
unlawful. 44 
For purposes of this subsection, the terms "assault weapon," "long gun," "handgun," and 45 
"minor" are as defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 46 
…." 47 
SECTION 3.(c) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 48 
the possession, carrying, sale, offer for sale, giving, or transfer of an assault weapon or long gun 49 
on or after that date. 50 
 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 8  House Bill 732-First Edition 
PART IV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF BUMP STOCK S OR TRIGGER 1 
CRANKS 2 
SECTION 4.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 3 
adding a new section to read: 4 
"§ 14-409A.  Bump stocks and trigger cranks prohibited. 5 
(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 6 
(1) Bump stock. – Any device or instrument for a firearm that increases the rate 7 
of fire achievable with the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the 8 
firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation 9 
of the trigger. 10 
(2) Firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 11 
(3) Trigger crank. – Any device or instrument to be attached to a firearm that 12 
repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a lever or 13 
other part that is turned in a circular motion. The term does not include any 14 
weapon initially designed and manufactured to fire through the use of a crank 15 
or lever. 16 
(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 17 
sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess bump stocks, trigger cranks, or any other similar device 18 
or instrument added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is designed to 19 
increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm. 20 
(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 21 
SECTION 4.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 22 
the sale, giving away, transfer, use, or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks, or other similar 23 
devices and instruments added to a firearm by a person other than the manufacturer that is 24 
designed to increase the rate of fire achievable by the firearm on or after that date. 25 
 26 
PART V. REQUIRE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS 27 
SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 14-315.1 is repealed. 28 
SECTION 5.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 29 
adding a new section to read: 30 
"§ 14-409.44.  Require safe storage of firearms. 31 
(a) Requirement. – Except when being carried or used by the owner or another lawfully 32 
authorized user, a person in possession or control of a firearm shall store or keep the firearm in a 33 
locked container. For purposes of this subsection, the term "firearm" includes weapons regulated 34 
under G.S. 14-409. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the possession 35 
of a firearm otherwise prohibited under State or federal law. 36 
(b) Penalty. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class A1 37 
misdemeanor. 38 
(c) Punitive Damages. – A violation of subsection (a) of this section constitutes wanton 39 
conduct within the meaning of G.S. 1D-5 and subjects the violator to punitive damages in any 40 
civil action that may be filed as a result of the violator's actions." 41 
SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 14-315.2 reads as rewritten: 42 
"§ 14-315.2.  Warning upon sale or transfer of firearm to protect minor.firearm to safely 43 
store firearm. 44 
(a) Upon the retail commercial sale or transfer of any firearm, the seller or transferor shall 45 
deliver a written copy of G.S. 14-315.1 G.S. 14-409.44 to the purchaser or transferee. 46 
(b) Any retail or wholesale store, shop, or sales outlet that sells firearms shall 47 
conspicuously post at each purchase counter the following warning in block letters not less than 48 
one inch in height the phrase: "IT "EXCEPT WHEN BEING CARRIED OR USED BY THE 49 
OWNER OR ANOTHER LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED USER, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE 50 
OR LEAVE KEEP A FIREARM THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 9 
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR. "IN ANY 1 
PLACE OTHER THAN A LOCKED CONTAINER. " 2 
(c) A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor." 3 
SECTION 5.(d) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 4 
offenses committed on or after that date. 5 
 6 
PART VI. REVISE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR CO NCEALED HANDGUN PERM ITS 7 
SECTION 6. G.S. 14-415.24 reads as rewritten: 8 
"§ 14-415.24.  Reciprocity; out-of-state handgun permits. 9 
(a) A valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state is valid in North 10 
Carolina. 11 
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-268, s. 22(a), effective December 1, 2011. 12 
(c) Every 12 months after the effective date of this subsection, the Department of Justice 13 
shall make written inquiry of the concealed handgun permitting authorities in each other state as 14 
to: (i) whether a North Carolina resident may carry a concealed handgun in their state based upon 15 
having a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit and permit, (ii) whether a North 16 
Carolina resident may apply for a concealed handgun permit in that state based upon having a 17 
valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. permit, and (iii) what the criteria are in that state 18 
for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit. The Department of Justice shall attempt to secure 19 
from each state permission for North Carolina residents who hold a valid North Carolina 20 
concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in that state, either on the basis of the 21 
North Carolina permit or on the basis that the North Carolina permit is sufficient to permit the 22 
issuance of a similar license or permit by the other state. 23 
(d) The Department of Justice shall identify and compile a list of the states that issue a 24 
concealed handgun permit that requires compliance with criteria that is at least as stringent as the 25 
criteria required for a concealed handgun in this State. A valid concealed handgun permit or 26 
license issued by any state on the list compiled pursuant to this subsection is valid in North 27 
Carolina." 28 
 29 
PART VII. REQUIRE THE REPORTING OF LOST OR STOLEN FIREARMS 30 
SECTION 7.(a) Article 53A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 31 
adding a new section to read: 32 
"§ 14-409.13.  Report of loss or theft of firearm. 33 
(a) Any owner of a firearm as defined in G.S. 14-408.1(a) shall report the loss or theft of 34 
the firearm within 48 hours after the discovery of the loss or theft to either (i) the local law 35 
enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the loss or theft of the firearm 36 
occurred or (ii) the State Bureau of Investigation. 37 
(b) A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor; however, a second or subsequent 38 
violation of this section is a Class I felony." 39 
SECTION 7.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 40 
offenses committed on or after that date. 41 
 42 
PART VIII. REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHO OWNS A FI REARM TO CARRY 43 
FIREARM LIABILITY INSURANCE 44 
SECTION 8.(a) G.S. 14-404(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 45 
"(1a) Verified, before the issuance of a permit, that the person has firearm liability 46 
insurance pursuant to G.S. 14-409.44A." 47 
SECTION 8.(b) Article 53B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 48 
adding a new section to read: 49 
"§ 14-409.44A.  Liability insurance required for gun owners. 50  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 10  House Bill 732-First Edition 
(a) Any person in this State who intends to own a firearm shall, prior to the ownership of 1 
the firearm, obtain, and during ownership continuously maintain, a policy of liability insurance 2 
in an amount not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) specifically covering any 3 
damages resulting from any negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm while it is 4 
owned by the person. No firearm shall be transferred in this State unless the transferee at the time 5 
of the transfer provides proof that the transferee has complied with the provisions of this section. 6 
(b) For purposes of this section, a person is deemed to own a firearm if the firearm is lost 7 
or stolen until the loss or theft is reported pursuant to G.S. 14-409.13. 8 
(c) Any person who owns a firearm on December 1, 2025, shall obtain the insurance 9 
required by this section by January 15, 2026. 10 
(d) This section does not apply to any law enforcement officer authorized to carry a 11 
firearm. 12 
(e) The Department of Insurance shall adopt rules to implement this section." 13 
SECTION 8.(c) Subsection (a) of this section is effective when it becomes law and 14 
applies to permit applications received on or after that date. 15 
 16 
PART IX. LIMIT THE SIZE OF AMMUNITION MA GAZINES 17 
SECTION 9.(a) Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 18 
Article to read: 19 
"Article 53D. 20 
"Regulation of Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines. 21 
"§ 14-409.60.  Definition. 22 
For purposes of this Article, the term "large-capacity magazine" includes all of the following: 23 
(i) a fixed or detachable magazine box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, 24 
or that is designed to be readily converted to accept, more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) a 25 
fixed or detachable magazine that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells; and 26 
(iii) a detachable magazine, tube, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of 27 
accepting more than eight shotgun shells when combined with a fixed magazine. The term does 28 
not include any of the following: (i) a feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it 29 
cannot accommodate more than 15 rounds of ammunition; (ii) an attached tubular device 30 
designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition; or (iii) a 31 
tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm. 32 
"§ 14-409.61.  Large-capacity magazines prohibited; penalties; exceptions. 33 
(a) It is unlawful for a person to sell, transfer, or possess a large-capacity magazine. A 34 
violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor; provided, however, that a second or 35 
subsequent violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. 36 
(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section commits a Class I felony under 37 
this section if the person possessed a large-capacity magazine during the commission of a felony. 38 
(c) A person may possess a large-capacity magazine if the person: 39 
(1) Owns the large-capacity magazine on December 1, 2025; and 40 
(2) Maintains continuous possession of the large-capacity magazine. 41 
(d) If a person who is alleged to have violated subsection (a) of this section asserts that 42 
the person is permitted to legally possess a large-capacity magazine pursuant to subsection (c) of 43 
this section, the prosecution has the burden of proof to refute the assertion. 44 
(e) The offense described in subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any of the 45 
following: 46 
(1) An entity, or any employee thereof engaged in the employee's employment 47 
duties, that manufactures large-capacity magazines within North Carolina 48 
exclusively for transfer or any federally licensed gun dealer, or any employee 49 
thereof engaged in his or her official employment duties, that sells 50 
large-capacity magazines exclusively to any of the following: 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 11 
a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 1 
b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 2 
Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 3 
c. A firearms retailer for the purpose of firearms sales conducted outside 4 
the State. 5 
d. A foreign national government that has been approved for such 6 
transfers by the United States government. 7 
e. An out-of-state transferee who may legally possess a large-capacity 8 
magazine. 9 
(2) An employee of any of the following agencies who bears a firearm in the 10 
course of the employee's official duties: 11 
a. A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. 12 
b. A department, agency, or political subdivision of the State of North 13 
Carolina, any other state, or of the United States government. 14 
(3) A person who possesses the magazine for the sole purpose of transporting the 15 
magazine to an out-of-state entity on behalf of a manufacturer of 16 
large-capacity magazines within North Carolina. 17 
"§ 14-409.62. Identification markings for large-capacity magazines; rules. 18 
(a) A large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in North Carolina on or after 19 
December 1, 2025, must include a permanent stamp or marking indicating that the large-capacity 20 
magazine was manufactured or assembled after that date. The stamp or marking must be legibly 21 
and conspicuously engraved or cast upon the outer surface of the large-capacity magazine. 22 
(b) The SBI may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section, including rules 23 
requiring a large-capacity magazine that is manufactured in this State on or after December 1, 24 
2025, to bear identifying information in addition to the identifying information described in 25 
subsection (a) of this section. 26 
(c) A person who manufactures a large-capacity magazine in North Carolina in violation 27 
of subsection (a) of this section commits a Class 2 misdemeanor." 28 
SECTION 9.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 29 
offenses committed on or after that date. 30 
 31 
PART X. REPEAL PREEMPTION OF LOCAL FIREARM REGULA TIONS 32 
SECTION 10. G.S. 14-409.40 is repealed. 33 
 34 
PART XI. ALLOW DESTR UCTION OF SEIZED FIREARMS 35 
SECTION 11.(a) G.S. 15-11.1(b1)(3) reads as rewritten: 36 
"(3) By ordering the firearm turned over to be destroyed by the sheriff of the county 37 
in which the firearm was seized or by his duly authorized agent if the firearm 38 
does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use 39 
because of wear, damage, age, or modification. agent. The sheriff shall 40 
maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 41 
SECTION 11.(b) G.S. 15-11.2(d)(1) reads as rewritten: 42 
"(1) By having the firearm destroyed if the firearm does not have a legible, unique 43 
identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or 44 
modification and will not be disposed of pursuant to subdivision (3) of this 45 
subsection. destroyed. The head or chief of the law enforcement agency shall 46 
maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm." 47 
SECTION 11.(c) G.S. 14-269.1(4) reads as rewritten: 48 
"(4) By ordering such weapon any firearm turned over to the sheriff of the county 49 
in which the trial is held or his duly authorized agent to be destroyed if the 50 
firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 12  House Bill 732-First Edition 
use because of wear, damage, age, or modification. destroyed. The sheriff 1 
shall maintain a record of the destruction thereof." 2 
 3 
PART XII. REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBL IC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A 4 
ROSTER OF HANDGUNS T HAT MEET CERTAIN DES IGN AND SAFETY 5 
STANDARDS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE, T RANSFER, OWNERSHIP, OR 6 
POSSESSION OF HANDGU NS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THE ROSTER 7 
SECTION 12.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 8 
adding a new section to read: 9 
"§ 14-406.2.  Prohibition on sale, transfer, ownership, or possession of unsafe handgun. 10 
(a) Findings. – The General Assembly finds all of the following: 11 
(1) There is a lack of design and safety standards imposed on pistols under federal 12 
and State law. 13 
(2) A lack of design and safety standards results in the sale of poorly constructed 14 
pistols, which can lead to unintentional shootings and other harms. 15 
(3) Multiple states have utilized the following design and safety tests performed 16 
by independent handgun testing laboratories to develop rosters of handguns 17 
that satisfy the tests and are approved for sale within the state's jurisdiction: 18 
a. Firing tests. 19 
b. Drop tests. 20 
c. Melting point tests. 21 
(4) It is in the public interest to ensure, in a timely manner, that handguns that do 22 
not meet design and safety standards are not sold, transferred, owned, or 23 
possessed in this State. 24 
(5) The most efficient and expeditious method for ensuring unsafe handguns are 25 
not sold in this State is to develop a roster of approved handguns for sale in 26 
this State that is based off the rosters developed in other states. 27 
(b) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 28 
(1) Antique firearm. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.11. 29 
(2) California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. – A roster compiled by the 30 
Department of Justice for the State of California pursuant to California Penal 31 
Code § 12131 that lists all of the pistols, revolvers, and other firearms that 32 
have been tested by a certified testing laboratory and determined not to be 33 
unsafe. 34 
(3) Dealer. – As defined in G.S. 14-409.39. 35 
(4) Department. – The Department of Public Safety. 36 
(5) Handgun. – As defined in G.S. 14-269.7. 37 
(c) Development; Prohibition. – The Department shall develop a roster of handguns 38 
determined not to be unsafe based off the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. 39 
Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, it is unlawful for any person, firm, 40 
or corporation to (i) manufacture, sell, give, loan, import, or otherwise transfer a handgun that is 41 
not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the calendar year in which the handgun is to be sold, 42 
given, loaned, imported, or otherwise transferred or (ii) own or possess a handgun that is not 43 
listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable calendar year, unless the person, firm, or 44 
corporation lawfully owned or possessed the handgun prior to that date. 45 
(d) Disposition. – A person who is the lawful owner of a handgun that is not listed on the 46 
roster developed under subsection (c) of this section as of January 1 of the applicable calendar 47 
year may only sell or otherwise transfer the handgun to a dealer or the sheriff of the county in 48 
which the person resides. The sheriff may destroy the handgun or dispose of the handgun in 49 
accordance with subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14-269.1. A dealer who retains in the dealer's 50 
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 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 13 
of the applicable calendar year may sell or otherwise transfer the handgun only to another dealer. 1 
A person may not transfer a handgun not listed on the roster as of January 1 of the applicable 2 
calendar year by devise or bequest. 3 
(e) Exemptions. – This section does not apply to any of the following: 4 
(1) An antique firearm. 5 
(2) A handgun defined as curios or relics, as those terms are defined in section 6 
478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 7 
(3) A handgun that is designed expressly for use in Olympic target shooting 8 
events. 9 
(4) A handgun used solely as a prop during the course of a motion picture, 10 
television, or video production by an authorized participant in the course of 11 
making that production or event or by an authorized employee or agent of the 12 
entity producing that production or event. 13 
(5) The temporary transfer of a lawfully owned handgun for the purposes of 14 
cleaning, repairing, or servicing the handgun by a dealer. 15 
(6) The possession of a handgun by a nonresident of the State while temporarily 16 
traveling through the State. 17 
(7) A handgun exempted by the Department in accordance with subsection (g) of 18 
this section. 19 
(f) Testing. – The Department may test, or contract with an independent handgun testing 20 
laboratory to test, handguns (i) that the Department believes should be added to the roster 21 
required under subsection (c) of this section or (ii) that the Department believes, based on credible 22 
information received by the Department from at least two credible sources, should be removed 23 
from the roster required under subsection (c) of this section. The Department may only utilize 24 
one of the tests described in subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section when testing 25 
handguns under this subsection. The Department may utilize the authority granted under 26 
subsection (g) of this section to add or remove handguns under this subsection from the roster 27 
required under subsection (c) of this section. 28 
(g) Annual Update. – By January 1, the Department shall annually review the California 29 
Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale and update, by rule, the roster required under subsection 30 
(c) of this section and any exemptions authorized under subdivision (7) of subsection (e) of this 31 
section of approved pistols developed by other states and update the roster developed in 32 
accordance with this subsection accordingly. The Department may also utilize the rulemaking 33 
authority granted under this subsection to update the roster required under subsection (c) of this 34 
section with any handguns tested under subsection (f) of this section and approved by the 35 
Department for sale in this State. 36 
(h) Dissemination. – At least 30 days prior to the date a roster developed and updated in 37 
accordance with this section is to take effect, the Department shall publish the roster and any 38 
updates on its website. 39 
(i) Penalty. – Any person violating the provisions of subsections (c) and (d) of this 40 
section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor." 41 
SECTION 12.(b) The initial roster developed under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by 42 
subsection (a) of this section, shall be based on the California Roster of Handguns Certified for 43 
Sale as of January 1, 2026. 44 
SECTION 12.(c) By January 15, 2026, the Department of Public Safety shall (i) 45 
submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety 46 
detailing the development of the roster required under G.S. 14-406.2(c), as enacted by subsection 47 
(a) of this section, and the types of handguns that are included on the roster and (ii) publish the 48 
roster on its website in accordance with G.S. 14-406.2(c). 49 
SECTION 12.(d) This section becomes effective January 1, 2026. 50 
 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 14  House Bill 732-First Edition 
PART XIII. REPEAL "STAND YOUR GROUND LAW S" AND CODIFY COMMON 1 
LAW REGARDING USE OF FORCE AGAINST AN INTRUDER 2 
SECTION 13.(a) The following statutes are repealed: G.S. 14-51.2, 14-51.3, and 3 
14-51.4. 4 
SECTION 13.(b) Article 14 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 5 
adding a new section to read: 6 
"§ 14-51.5.  Use of deadly physical force against an intruder. 7 
(a) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any 8 
degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against 9 
an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder's 10 
unlawful entry (i) if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict 11 
serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence or (ii) if the occupant 12 
reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence. 13 
(b) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to 14 
retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section. 15 
(c) This section is not intended to repeal, expand, or limit any other defense that may 16 
exist under the common law." 17 
 18 
PART XIV. PROHIBIT L EAVING A FIREARM IN AN UNATTENDED MOTOR 19 
VEHICLE UNLESS FIREA RM IS SAFELY STORED 20 
SECTION 14.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 21 
adding a new section to read: 22 
"§ 14-269.9.  Firearms in unattended motor vehicles. 23 
(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "firearm" is as defined in 24 
G.S. 14-408.1. 25 
(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful to leave a firearm in an unattended motor vehicle unless 26 
the vehicle is locked and the firearm is either (i) secured with a trigger lock or other safety device 27 
designed to prevent an unauthorized user from operating the firearm or (ii) in a locked container. 28 
(c) Penalty. – Any person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a Class 29 
2 misdemeanor." 30 
SECTION 14.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 31 
offenses committed on or after that date. 32 
 33 
PART XV. PROHIBIT THE SALE OR POSSESSION OF GHOST GUNS 34 
SECTION 15.(a) Article 52A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 35 
adding a new section to read: 36 
"§ 14-409B.  Ghost guns prohibited. 37 
(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "ghost gun" means a firearm, 38 
including a frame or receiver, that lacks a unique serial number engraved or cased in metal alloy 39 
on the frame or receiver by a licensed manufacturer, maker, or importer under federal law or 40 
markings in accordance with 27 C.F.R. § 479.102. This term does not include a firearm that has 41 
been rendered permanently inoperable or a firearm that is not required to have a serial number in 42 
accordance with the federal Gun Control Act of 1968. 43 
(b) Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture, 44 
sell, give away, transfer, use, or possess a ghost gun. 45 
(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class I felony." 46 
SECTION 15.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 47 
offenses committed on or after that date. 48 
 49 
PART XVI. PROHIBIT P OSSESSION OF SEMIAUT OMATIC FIREARMS BY 50 
PERSONS UNDER 18 YEA RS OF AGE 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 15 
SECTION 16.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 1 
adding a new section to read: 2 
"§ 14-269.7A.  Prohibition on semiautomatic firearms for persons under 18 years of age. 3 
(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "semiautomatic firearm" means a 4 
selective-fire firearm capable of semiautomatic or burst fire at the option of the user. This term 5 
does not include a firearm prohibited under G.S. 14-409 or federal law. 6 
(b) Prohibition. – It is unlawful for a person under 18 years of age to willfully and 7 
intentionally possess or carry a semiautomatic firearm. 8 
(c) Punishment. – Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 9 
(d) Exception. – This section does not apply to officers and enlisted personnel of the 10 
Armed Forces of the United States when in discharge of their official duties or acting under 11 
orders requiring them to carry a semiautomatic firearm." 12 
SECTION 16.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 13 
offenses committed on or after that date. 14 
 15 
PART XVII. REQUIRE THE SHERIFF UPON DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR REFUSAL 16 
TO RENEW A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT OR P ISTOL PERMIT TO 17 
TRANSMIT THE PROHIBI TION RECORD TO THE N ATIONAL INSTANT 18 
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM 19 
SECTION 17.(a) G.S. 14-404, as reenacted in subsection (c) of Section 2 of this act, 20 
is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 21 
"(b2) If the sheriff denies a person's application for a permit under this Article, and the 22 
ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal Background Check 23 
System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not later than 48 hours 24 
after notifying the applicant of the denial, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 25 
SECTION 17.(b) Article 54B of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 26 
adding a new section to read: 27 
"§ 14-415.18A.  Sheriff to report denial, revocation, or refusal to renew permit to NICS. 28 
If the sheriff denies, revokes, or refuses to renew a person's application for a permit under 29 
this Article, and the ground for the denial is a prohibition under the National Instant Criminal 30 
Background Check System (NICS), the sheriff shall transmit the prohibiting record to NICS not 31 
later than 48 hours after notifying the applicant of the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew the 32 
permit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays." 33 
 34 
PART XVIII. DIRECT THE STATE TREASURER T O DIVEST THE PENSION FUND 35 
OF GUN STOCKS 36 
SECTION 18. Chapter 147 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 37 
Article to read: 38 
"Article 9. 39 
"Firearms Manufacturer Divestment Act. 40 
"§ 147-95.  Definitions. 41 
As used in this Article, the following definitions apply: 42 
(1) Company. – Any sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, 43 
partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, 44 
limited liability company, or other entity or business association, including all 45 
wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, parent companies, 46 
or affiliates of such entities or business associations, that exists for 47 
profit-making purposes. 48 
(2) Direct holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 49 
held directly by the Public Fund or in an account or fund in which the Public 50 
Fund owns all shares or interests. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 16  House Bill 732-First Edition 
(3) Firearm. – Defined in G.S. 14-409.39(2), as well as weapons of mass death 1 
and destruction described in G.S. 14-288.8(c). 2 
(4) Firearms manufacturer. – A company that develops, designs, creates, 3 
fabricates, assembles, or reassembles firearms or ammunition. 4 
(5) Indirect holdings. – All securities of a company that is a firearms manufacturer 5 
held in an account or fund, such as a mutual fund, managed by one or more 6 
persons not employed by the Public Fund, in which the Public Fund owns 7 
shares or interests together with other investors not subject to the provisions 8 
of this Article. 9 
(6) Public Fund. – Any funds held by the State Treasurer to the credit of: 10 
a. The Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System. 11 
b. The Consolidated Judicial Retirement System. 12 
c. The Firemen's and Rescue Workers' Pension Fund. 13 
d. The Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System. 14 
e. The Legislative Retirement System. 15 
f. The Legislative Retirement Fund. 16 
g. The North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund. 17 
"§ 147-96.  Identification of firearms manufacturers. 18 
(a) Within 90 days of September 1, 2025, the Public Fund shall make its best efforts to 19 
identify all firearms manufacturers in which the Public Fund has direct or indirect holdings or 20 
could possibly have such holdings in the future. Such efforts shall include, as appropriate: 21 
(1) Reviewing and relying, as appropriate in the Public Fund's judgment, on 22 
publicly available information regarding firearms manufacturers, including 23 
information provided by nonprofit organizations, research firms, international 24 
organizations, and government entities. 25 
(2) Contacting asset managers contracted by the Public Fund that invest in 26 
firearms manufacturers. 27 
(3) Contacting other institutional investors that have divested from firearms 28 
manufacturers. 29 
(b) By the first meeting of the Public Fund following the 90-day period described in 30 
subsection (a) of this section, the Public Fund shall assemble a list of all firearms manufacturers 31 
in which the Public Fund holds direct or indirect investments. 32 
"§ 147-97.  Required actions. 33 
(a) Subject to all applicable laws related to prudent investment, the State Treasurer shall 34 
promptly divest all direct and indirect holdings in firearms manufacturers held by the Public 35 
Fund. 36 
(b) At no time shall the Public Fund acquire direct or indirect holdings in firearms 37 
manufacturers." 38 
 39 
PART XIX. ALLOW ISSUANCE OF EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS 40 
SECTION 19.(a) The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to 41 
read: 42 
"Chapter 50E. 43 
"Extreme Risk Protection Orders. 44 
"§ 50E-1. Title of Chapter. 45 
This Chapter may be cited as the "Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act." 46 
"§ 50E-2.  Purpose. 47 
The purpose of this Chapter is to reduce gun deaths and injuries, while respecting 48 
constitutional rights, by providing a court procedure for concerned citizens and law enforcement 49 
to obtain an order temporarily restricting a person's access to firearms. The court orders 50 
authorized under this Chapter are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 17 
a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm and include 1 
standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law. 2 
"§ 50E-3.  Definitions. 3 
The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 4 
(1) Extreme Risk Protection Order or ERPO. – An order granted under this 5 
Chapter, which includes a remedy authorized under G.S. 50E-6. 6 
(2) Family or household member. – Any of the following: 7 
a. A person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the respondent. 8 
b. A person who is in a dating relationship, or has been in a dating 9 
relationship, with the respondent. For purposes of this 10 
sub-subdivision, a dating relationship is one wherein the parties are 11 
romantically involved over time and on a continuous basis during the 12 
course of the relationship, but is not any of the following: 13 
1. A casual acquaintance. 14 
2. Ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social 15 
context. 16 
3. A dating relationship that ended more than one year before the 17 
date the petitioner filed a petition for an ERPO under this 18 
Chapter. 19 
c. A person who has a child in common with the respondent, regardless 20 
of whether the person has been married to the respondent or has lived 21 
together with the respondent at any time. 22 
d. A domestic partner of the respondent. 23 
e. A person who has a biological or legal parent-child relationship with 24 
the respondent, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and 25 
grandchildren. 26 
f. A person who is acting or has acted as the respondent's legal guardian. 27 
(3) Firearm. – Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to 28 
or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, 29 
or its frame or receiver. 30 
"§ 50E-4.  Commencement of action. 31 
(a) Petition. – Any of the following may file a verified petition in district court for an 32 
ERPO: 33 
(1) A family or household member. 34 
(2) A current or former spouse or dating partner. 35 
(3) A law enforcement officer or agency. 36 
(4) A health care provider. 37 
(b) Venue. – A petition for an ERPO is governed by G.S. 1-82. 38 
(c) Required Information in Petition. – A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter shall 39 
include all of the following: 40 
(1) An allegation that the respondent poses a danger of physical harm to self or 41 
others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control 42 
a firearm. If the petitioner is seeking an ex parte ERPO, the petition shall 43 
include an allegation that the respondent poses an imminent danger of physical 44 
harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, 45 
ownership, or control a firearm. The allegation required under this subdivision 46 
shall include facts to support the allegation. 47 
(2) An identification, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, of the number, 48 
types, and locations of firearms under the respondent's custody or control. 49 
(3) An identification of any existing protection order under State law governing 50 
the respondent. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 18  House Bill 732-First Edition 
(4) An identification of any pending lawsuits, complaints, petitions, or other 1 
actions between the petitioner and the respondent. 2 
(d) Verification of Terms of Existing Orders. – The clerk of court shall verify the terms 3 
of any existing protection orders governing the petitioner and respondent. The court shall not 4 
delay or deny granting relief because of the existence of a pending action between the petitioner 5 
and respondent or the necessity of verifying the terms of an existing protection order. 6 
(e) Nondisclosure of Address. – A petitioner with a current and valid Address 7 
Confidentiality Program authorization card issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15C of 8 
the General Statutes may use the substitute address designated by the Address Confidentiality 9 
Program when filing with the court any document required under this Chapter. If a petitioner 10 
does not have a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card, but 11 
submits to the court a copy of a protective order without attachments, if any, issued to the 12 
petitioner under G.S. 50B-3 or a lawful order of any court of competent jurisdiction restricting 13 
the access or contact of one or more persons with the petitioner, accompanied by a signed 14 
statement that the petitioner has good reason to believe that the physical safety of the petitioner 15 
or a member of the petitioner's family residing with the petitioner would be jeopardized if the 16 
petitioner's address were open to public inspection, that petitioner's address shall be kept 17 
confidential. 18 
(f) Court Costs. – No court costs shall be assessed for the filing or service of the petition, 19 
or the service of any ERPOs. 20 
(g) Electronic Filing. – All documents filed, issued, registered, or served in an action 21 
under this Chapter relating to an ERPO may be filed electronically. 22 
(h) Report. – Beginning December 1, 2025, and occurring annually thereafter, the 23 
Administrative Office of the Courts shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight 24 
Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division that includes all of the 25 
following information: 26 
(1) The number of petitions filed under this Chapter during the prior calendar 27 
year. 28 
(2) The number of ex parte ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 29 
(3) The number of ex parte ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 30 
calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 31 
(4) The number of final ERPOs issued during the prior calendar year. 32 
(5) The number of final ERPOs the courts declined to issue during the prior 33 
calendar year and justification for why each was declined. 34 
"§ 50E-5.  Process. 35 
(a) Summons Required. – Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 50E-8, a petition for an 36 
ERPO requires that a summons be issued and served not later than five days prior to the date set 37 
for the final ERPO hearing. Attachments to the summons shall include the petition for any ERPO, 38 
any ex parte ERPO that has been issued and the notice of hearing on the ex parte ERPO, and a 39 
description of what an ERPO is. 40 
(b) Service of the Summons and Attachments. – The clerk of court shall effect service of 41 
the summons and any attachments through the appropriate law enforcement agency where the 42 
respondent is to be served. 43 
"§ 50E-6. ERPO requirements; remedy; mental health or chemical dependency evaluation. 44 
(a) Required Information in ERPO. – An ERPO issued under this Chapter shall include 45 
all of the following: 46 
(1) A statement of the grounds supporting issuance of the ERPO. 47 
(2) The date and time the ERPO was issued. 48 
(3) The date and time the ERPO expires. 49 
(4) Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the 50 
respondent is required. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 19 
(5) The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed. 1 
(6) A description of the requirements for relinquishment and retrieval of any 2 
firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry 3 
concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, ownership, or control of the 4 
respondent. 5 
(7) A description of the process for seeking termination of the ERPO. 6 
(8) A statement that a violation of the ERPO is punishable as a Class A1 7 
misdemeanor. 8 
(b) Remedy Granted. – Upon issuance of an ERPO, including an ex parte ERPO, the 9 
court shall order the respondent to surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, permits to 10 
purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, 11 
possession, ownership, or control of the respondent. 12 
(c) Mental Health or Chemical Dependency Evaluation. – During a hearing for issuance 13 
of an ERPO, the court shall consider whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency 14 
evaluation of the respondent is appropriate and may order the respondent to undergo evaluation 15 
if appropriate. 16 
"§ 50E-7.  Hearing and issuance of a final Extreme Risk Protection Order. 17 
(a) Hearing. – A court shall hold a hearing on a petition for a final ERPO no later than 18 
10 days from either of the following dates: 19 
(1) If an ex parte ERPO has been issued, the date the ex parte ERPO was issued. 20 
(2) If subdivision (1) of this subsection does not apply, the date the petition for a 21 
final ERPO was served on the respondent. 22 
A continuance shall be limited to one extension of no more than 10 days unless all parties 23 
consent or good cause is shown. 24 
(b) Order. – A court may issue a final ERPO if all of the following requirements are met: 25 
(1) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a 26 
danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his or her 27 
custody a firearm. In determining whether the requirement set forth in this 28 
subdivision is met, the court may consider any relevant evidence, including, 29 
but not limited to, any of the following: 30 
a. A recent act or threat of violence, or a pattern of acts or threats of 31 
violence within the 12 months preceding the petition, by the 32 
respondent against himself, herself, or others, whether or not the 33 
violence or threat of violence involves a firearm or other weapon. 34 
b. Evidence of the respondent being seriously mentally ill or having 35 
recurring mental health issues. 36 
c. A violation by the respondent of an order issued under Chapter 50B, 37 
50C, or 50D of the General Statutes. 38 
d. A previous or existing ERPO issued against the respondent, including 39 
whether the respondent committed a violation of the previous or 40 
existing ERPO. 41 
e. Whether the respondent, in this State or any other state, has been 42 
convicted of or had adjudication withheld on a crime that constitutes 43 
domestic violence as defined in G.S. 50B-1 or a crime involving 44 
violence or a threat of violence. 45 
f. The unlawful or reckless use, display, or brandishing of a firearm by 46 
the respondent. 47 
g. The recurring use of, or threat to use, physical force by the respondent 48 
against another person or the respondent stalking another person. 49 
h. Evidence of the abuse of controlled substances or alcohol by the 50 
respondent. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 20  House Bill 732-First Edition 
i. Evidence of recent acquisition of firearms or ammunition by the 1 
respondent. 2 
j. Witness testimony, taken while the witness is under oath, relating to 3 
the matter before the court. 4 
(2) Process was served on the respondent in accordance with the requirements of 5 
this Chapter. 6 
(3) Notice of hearing was given to the respondent in accordance with the 7 
requirements of this Chapter. 8 
"§ 50E-8.  Hearing and issuance of an ex parte Extreme Risk Protection Order. 9 
(a) Hearing. – Upon receipt of a petition for an ex parte ERPO, the court shall hold a 10 
hearing in person on the day the petition is filed or the day immediately following the day the 11 
petition is filed. 12 
(b) Order. – If the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the 13 
respondent poses an imminent danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his 14 
or her custody a firearm, a judge or magistrate of district court may issue an ex parte ERPO 15 
before a hearing for a final ERPO and without evidence of service of process or notice. 16 
(c) Requirements. – An ex parte ERPO granted without notice shall meet all of the 17 
following requirements: 18 
(1) The ERPO shall be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance. 19 
(2) The ERPO shall be filed immediately in the clerk's office and entered of 20 
record. 21 
(3) The ERPO shall include a statement detailing why the ERPO was granted 22 
without notice. 23 
(4) The ERPO shall include the applicable information required under 24 
G.S. 50E-6(a). 25 
(5) The ERPO shall expire by its terms within a specified amount of time after 26 
entry, not to exceed the limits set forth in G.S. 50E-10(a). 27 
(d) Court Out of Session. – When the court is not in session, the petitioner may file for 28 
an ex parte ERPO before any judge or magistrate designated by the chief district court judge to 29 
grant relief under this Chapter. If the judge or magistrate finds that the requirements of this 30 
section have been met, the judge or magistrate may issue an ex parte ERPO. The chief district 31 
court judge may designate for each county at least one judge or magistrate to be reasonably 32 
available to issue ex parte ERPOs when the court is not in session. 33 
(e) Video Conference. – Hearings held to consider ex parte relief pursuant to subsection 34 
(a) of this section may be held via video conference. 35 
"§ 50E-9.  Surrender, retrieval, and disposal of firearms. 36 
(a) Surrender of Firearms. – Upon service of an ERPO, the respondent shall immediately 37 
surrender to the sheriff possession of all firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and 38 
permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control 39 
of the respondent. In the event that weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the ERPO is 40 
served, the respondent shall surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff 41 
within 24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff. The sheriff shall store the 42 
firearms or contract with a licensed firearms dealer to provide storage. 43 
(b) Failure to Surrender. – Upon the sworn statement of the petitioner or the sheriff 44 
alleging that the respondent has failed to comply with the surrender of firearms required under 45 
subsection (a) of this section, the court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe 46 
that the respondent has failed to surrender all firearms in his or her care, custody, possession, 47 
ownership, or control. If probable cause exists, the court shall issue a warrant describing the 48 
firearms and authorizing (i) a search of the locations where the firearms are reasonably believed 49 
to be and (ii) seizure of any firearms discovered pursuant to the search. 50  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 21 
(c) Receipt. – At the time of surrender or seizure, the sheriff taking possession of a 1 
firearm shall issue a receipt identifying all firearms that have been surrendered or seized and shall 2 
provide a copy of the receipt to the respondent. Within 48 hours after issuing the receipt, the 3 
officer shall file the original receipt with the court and shall also retain a copy for the sheriff's 4 
records. 5 
(d) Fee. – The sheriff may charge the respondent a reasonable fee for the storage of any 6 
firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to an ERPO. The fees are payable to the sheriff. The 7 
sheriff shall transmit the proceeds of these fees to the county finance officer. The fees shall be 8 
used by the sheriff to pay the costs of administering this section. The county shall expend the 9 
restricted funds for these purposes only. The sheriff shall not release firearms, ammunition, or 10 
permits without a court order granting the release. The respondent shall remit all fees owed prior 11 
to the authorized return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits. The sheriff shall not incur any 12 
civil or criminal liability for alleged damage or deterioration due to storage or transportation of 13 
any firearms or ammunition held pursuant to this section. 14 
(e) Retrieval. – If the court does not enter a final ERPO when the ex parte ERPO expires, 15 
the respondent may retrieve any firearms, ammunition, or permits surrendered to the sheriff 16 
unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from owning or possessing a 17 
firearm pursuant to State or federal law. 18 
(f) Motion for Return. – The respondent may request the return of any firearms, 19 
ammunition, or permits surrendered by filing a motion with the court after the expiration or 20 
termination of the ERPO. Unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from 21 
owning or possessing a firearm pursuant to State or federal law, all firearms, ammunition, and 22 
permits surrendered by the respondent shall be returned within 30 days of the date the motion 23 
was received by the court. If the court does not enter a final ERPO when the ex parte ERPO 24 
expires, and the court orders the return of the items to the respondent, the respondent is not 25 
required to pay any fees imposed under subsection (d) of this section and the sheriff shall 26 
promptly refund to the respondent any fees already paid pursuant to subsection (d) of this section 27 
for the storage of any items taken pursuant to the ex parte ERPO. 28 
(g) Motion for Return by Third Party. – A third-party owner of firearms or ammunition 29 
who is otherwise eligible to possess the items may file a motion requesting the return to the third 30 
party of any of the items in the possession of the sheriff surrendered or seized as a result of the 31 
entry of an ERPO. The third-party owner shall also provide proof of ownership of the firearms 32 
or ammunition. Upon receipt of the third party's motion, the court shall schedule a hearing and 33 
provide written notice to all parties and the sheriff. The court shall order return of the items to 34 
the third party unless the third-party owner fails to provide proof of ownership or certification as 35 
required under this subsection, or the court determines that the third party is disqualified from 36 
owning or possessing the items pursuant to State or federal law. If the court orders the return of 37 
the items to the third party, the third party is not required to pay any fees imposed under 38 
subsection (d) of this section. If the court denies the return of the items to the third party, the 39 
items shall be disposed of by the sheriff as provided in subsection (h) of this section. 40 
(h) Disposal of Firearms. – If the respondent or a third-party owner does not file a motion 41 
within the applicable time period prescribed by this section requesting the return of any 42 
surrendered firearms, ammunition, or permits; if the court determines that the respondent or 43 
third-party owner is precluded from regaining possession of any surrendered firearms, 44 
ammunition, or permits; or if the respondent fails to remit all fees owed for the storage of the 45 
firearms or ammunition within 30 days of the entry of the order granting the return of the 46 
firearms, ammunition, or permits, the sheriff who has control of the firearms, ammunition, or 47 
permits shall give notice to the respondent and the sheriff shall apply to the court for an order of 48 
disposition of the firearms, ammunition, or permits. The judge, after a hearing, may order the 49 
sheriff in possession, or the sheriff's duly authorized agent, to destroy the firearms, ammunition, 50 
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 
Page 22  House Bill 732-First Edition 
authorized by law, including subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14-269.1. The sheriff shall 1 
maintain a record of any firearms, ammunition, and permits destroyed in accordance with this 2 
subsection. If a sale by the sheriff does occur, any proceeds from the sale after deducting any 3 
costs associated with the storage and sale, in accordance with all applicable State and federal law, 4 
shall be provided to the respondent if ordered by the judge. 5 
"§ 50E-10.  Duration; renewal of ERPOs. 6 
(a) Duration of Ex Parte ERPO. – Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an ex 7 
parte ERPO shall be effective until the date a hearing is held under G.S. 50E-7. If a hearing is 8 
not held or a continuance was not granted, an ex parte ERPO shall be effective for not more than 9 
10 days from the date the ex parte ERPO was issued. 10 
(b) Duration of Final ERPO. – A final ERPO shall be effective for a fixed period of time 11 
not to exceed one year. 12 
(c) Renewal. – Any ERPO may be renewed one or more times, as required, provided that 13 
the requirements of G.S. 50E-7 or G.S. 50E-8, as appropriate, are satisfied. The court may renew 14 
an ERPO, including an ERPO that previously has been renewed, upon a motion by the petitioner 15 
filed before the expiration of the current ERPO. Upon a motion for a renewal, the court shall hold 16 
a hearing no later than 10 days after the date the motion is served on the respondent. The court 17 
may renew an ex parte or final ERPO if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that 18 
there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the respective ERPO. 19 
The commission of an act of unlawful conduct by the respondent after entry of the current ERPO 20 
is not required for an ERPO to be renewed. If the motion for renewal is uncontested and the 21 
petitioner seeks no modification of the ERPO, the ERPO may be renewed if the petitioner's 22 
motion or affidavit states that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since 23 
entry of the ERPO and states the reason for the requested renewal. 24 
(d) Expiration Date. – An ERPO expiring on a day the court is not open for business shall 25 
expire in accordance with the provisions of Rule 6(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, G.S. 1A-1. 26 
"§ 50E-11.  Termination of an Extreme Risk Protection Order. 27 
(a) Motion. – The respondent may request the termination of a final ERPO by filing a 28 
motion with the court. The respondent may submit no more than one motion for termination for 29 
every 12-month period the final ERPO is in effect, starting from the date of the final ERPO and 30 
continuing through any renewals. 31 
(b) Hearing. – Upon receipt of a request for a hearing to terminate a final ERPO, the court 32 
shall set a date for a hearing. Notice of the request for a hearing shall be served on the petitioner 33 
in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court shall set the date for the 34 
hearing no sooner than 10 days and no later than 30 days from the date of service of the request 35 
upon the petitioner. 36 
(c) Burden of Proof; Termination. – The respondent shall have the burden of proving, by 37 
a preponderance of the evidence, that the respondent does not pose a danger of causing physical 38 
harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a 39 
firearm. If the court finds after the hearing that the respondent has met his or her burden, the 40 
court shall terminate the final ERPO. 41 
"§ 50E-12.  Notice. 42 
(a) Notice Law Enforcement; Entry into National Database. – The clerk of court shall 43 
deliver on the same day that an ERPO is issued a certified copy of that ERPO to the sheriff of 44 
the county in which the ERPO is issued. Any order extending, modifying, or revoking an ERPO 45 
shall be promptly delivered to the sheriff by the clerk and served in a manner provided for service 46 
of process. The sheriff shall promptly enter the ERPO into the National Crime Information Center 47 
registry and shall provide for access of such orders to the courts on a continuous basis. 48 
Modifications, terminations, renewals, and dismissals of the ERPO shall also be promptly 49 
entered. A copy of the ERPO shall be issued promptly to and retained by the police department 50 
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 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 23 
municipality or is in a municipality with no police department, copies shall be issued promptly 1 
to and retained by the sheriff of the county in which the petitioner's residence is located. 2 
(b) Notice to Respondent. – If the respondent was not present in court when the ERPO 3 
was issued, the respondent may be served in the manner provided for service of process in civil 4 
proceedings in accordance with Rule 4(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. If the summons has 5 
not yet been served upon the respondent, it shall be served with the ERPO. Law enforcement 6 
agencies shall accept receipt of copies of the ERPO issued by the clerk of court by electronic 7 
transmission for service on respondents. 8 
(c) Notice to Third Parties. – If the petitioner for an ERPO is a law enforcement officer 9 
or agency, the officer or agency shall provide, or attempt to provide, notice of the petition to any 10 
known third party who may be at risk of unlawful conduct from the respondent. 11 
"§ 50E-13.  Prohibition; violation. 12 
(a) Prohibition. – It is unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, or receive, or attempt 13 
to possess, purchase, or receive, a firearm, ammunition, or permits to purchase or carry concealed 14 
firearms, for so long as an ERPO entered against that person in accordance with this Chapter is 15 
in effect. 16 
(b) Violation. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section or any other term of 17 
an ERPO is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor. 18 
"§ 50E-14.  False statement regarding ERPO a misdemeanor. 19 
A person who knowingly makes a false statement when petitioning for an ERPO under this 20 
Chapter, or who knowingly makes a false statement to a law enforcement agency or officer that 21 
an ERPO entered pursuant to this Chapter remains in effect, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 22 
"§ 50E-15.  Remedies not exclusive. 23 
The remedies provided by this Chapter are not exclusive but are additional to other remedies 24 
provided under law. 25 
"§ 50E-16.  Liability. 26 
Except as provided in G.S. 50E-13 or G.S. 50E-14, this Chapter shall not be interpreted to 27 
impose any criminal or civil liability on any person or entity for acts or omissions related to 28 
obtaining an ERPO, including reporting, declining to report, investigating, declining to 29 
investigate, filing, or declining to file a petition under this Chapter." 30 
SECTION 19.(b) Chapter 15C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten: 31 
"Chapter 15C. 32 
"Address Confidentiality Program. 33 
"§ 15C-1.  Purpose. 34 
The purpose of this Chapter is to enable the State and the agencies of North Carolina to 35 
respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a petitioner for an 36 
Extreme Risk Protection Order or a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or 37 
human trafficking; to enable interagency cooperation in providing address confidentiality for 38 
victims a petitioner for an Extreme Risk Protection Order or a victim of domestic violence, sexual 39 
offense, stalking, or human trafficking; and to enable the State and its agencies to accept a 40 
program participant's use of an address designated by the Office of the Attorney General as a 41 
substitute address. 42 
"§ 15C-2.  Definitions. 43 
The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 44 
… 45 
(2) Address Confidentiality Program or Program. – A program in the Office of 46 
the Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO 47 
petitioner or a relocated victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or 48 
stalking to prevent the petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants 49 
from finding the petitioner or victim through public records. 50 
… 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 24  House Bill 732-First Edition 
(5a) ERPO petitioner. – The person who petitions for an Extreme Risk Protection 1 
Order under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes. 2 
… 3 
"§ 15C-3.  Address Confidentiality Program. 4 
The General Assembly establishes the Address Confidentiality Program in the Office of the 5 
Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO petitioner or a relocated 6 
victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking to prevent the 7 
petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants from finding the petitioner or victim 8 
through public records. Under this Program, the Attorney General shall designate a substitute 9 
address for a program participant and act as the agent of the program participant for purposes of 10 
service of process and receiving and forwarding first-class mail or certified or registered mail. 11 
The Attorney General shall not be required to forward any mail other than first-class mail or 12 
certified or registered mail to the program participant. The Attorney General shall not be required 13 
to track or otherwise maintain records of any mail received on behalf of a program participant 14 
unless the mail is certified or registered mail. 15 
"§ 15C-4.  Filing and certification of applications; authorization card. 16 
(a) An individual who wants to participate in the Address Confidentiality Program shall 17 
file an application with the Attorney General with the assistance of an application assistant. Any 18 
of the following individuals may apply to the Attorney General to have an address designated by 19 
the Attorney General to serve as the substitute address of the individual: 20 
(1) An adult individual. 21 
(2) A parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor when the minor resides with 22 
the individual. 23 
(3) A guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated individual. 24 
(b) The application shall be dated, signed, and verified by the applicant and shall be 25 
signed by the application assistant who assisted in the preparation of the application. 26 
(c) The application shall contain all of the following: 27 
(1) A statement by the applicant that the applicant is an ERPO petitioner or a 28 
victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking 29 
and that the applicant fears for the applicant's safety or the safety of the 30 
applicant's child. 31 
(2) Evidence Except for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the 32 
applicant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human 33 
trafficking. For an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the 34 
applicant is at risk from violence or other unlawful conduct from the 35 
respondent in a petition filed under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes. This 36 
evidence may include any of the following: 37 
a. Law enforcement, court, or other federal or state agency records or 38 
files. 39 
b. Documentation from a domestic violence program if the applicant is 40 
alleged to be a victim of domestic violence. 41 
c. Documentation from a religious, medical, or other professional from 42 
whom the applicant has sought assistance in dealing with the alleged 43 
domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking. 44 
d. Documentation submitted to support a victim of human trafficking's 45 
application for federal assistance or benefits under federal human 46 
trafficking laws. 47 
… 48 
(4) A Except for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, a statement by the 49 
applicant that the applicant has or will confidentially relocate in North 50 
Carolina. 51  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
House Bill 732-First Edition  	Page 25 
… 1 
(7) The address that the applicant requests not to be disclosed by the Attorney 2 
General that directly relates to the increased risk of domestic violence, sexual 3 
offense, or stalking.stalking, or other unlawful conduct. 4 
…." 5 
SECTION 19.(c) Development of Forms. – The Administrative Office of the Courts 6 
shall develop the appropriate forms to implement the processes provided under Chapter 50E of 7 
the General Statutes, as enacted by this section. 8 
SECTION 19.(d) G.S. 50B-3.1(d) reads as rewritten: 9 
"(d) Surrender. – Upon service of the order, the defendant shall immediately surrender to 10 
the sheriff possession of all firearms, machine guns, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, 11 
and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or 12 
control of the defendant. In the event that weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the order is 13 
served, the defendant shall surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 14 
24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff. If the defendant fails to surrender 15 
the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 24 hours of service, the court shall 16 
order the sheriff to seize the firearms, ammunitions, and permits. The sheriff shall store the 17 
firearms or contract with a licensed firearms dealer to provide storage. 18 
(1) If the court orders the defendant to surrender firearms, ammunition, and 19 
permits, the court shall inform the plaintiff and the defendant of the terms of 20 
the protective order and include these terms on the face of the order, including 21 
that the defendant is prohibited from possessing, purchasing, or receiving or 22 
attempting to possess, purchase, or receive a firearm for so long as the 23 
protective order or any successive protective order is in effect. The terms of 24 
the order shall include instructions as to how the defendant may request 25 
retrieval of any firearms, ammunition, and permits surrendered to the sheriff 26 
when the protective order is no longer in effect. The terms shall also include 27 
notice of the penalty for violation of G.S. 14-269.8. 28 
(2) The sheriff may charge the defendant a reasonable fee for the storage of any 29 
firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to a protective order. The fees are 30 
payable to the sheriff. The sheriff shall transmit the proceeds of these fees to 31 
the county finance officer. The fees shall be used by the sheriff to pay the costs 32 
of administering this section and for other law enforcement purposes. The 33 
county shall expend the restricted funds for these purposes only. The sheriff 34 
shall not release firearms, ammunition, or permits without a court order 35 
granting the release. The defendant must remit all fees owed prior to the 36 
authorized return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits. The sheriff shall 37 
not incur any civil or criminal liability for alleged damage or deterioration due 38 
to storage or transportation of any firearms or ammunition held pursuant to 39 
this section." 40 
SECTION 19.(e) Subsections (a) through (c) of this section become effective 41 
October 1, 2025. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to 42 
orders issued on or after that date. 43 
 44 
PART XX. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE/SAVINGS CLA USE/EFFECTIVE DATE 45 
SECTION 20.(a) If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, the 46 
invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect 47 
without the invalid provisions or application and, to this end, the provisions of this act are 48 
severable. 49  General Assembly Of North Carolina 	Session 2025 
Page 26  House Bill 732-First Edition 
SECTION 20.(b) Prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of 1 
this act are not abated or affected by this act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for 2 
this act remain applicable to those prosecutions. 3 
SECTION 20.(c) Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes 4 
law. 5