You may have heard about a change to North Carolina gun laws, but which one? Did you know there are a dozen bills being considered that may change gun laws in North Carolina?

North Carolina gun owners may be overwhelmed by the number of proposed gun legislation changes being considered. Gun ownership is becoming more complicated in almost every state, but North Carolina may be taking the lead if potential gun laws are passed. Our NC gun trust attorneys have compiled all of the current legislation changes in one place.

12 Bills Affecting North Carolina Gun Laws:
  1. Public school protection bill – Specially designated school safety marshals will provide armed protection in public schools, private schools and community colleges.
  2. Armed security guards at schools – Outlines the requirements of armed security in elementary, middle and high schools.
  3. Gun owner confidentiality –Will make gun ownership information available to law enforcement upon request, but not available by public record.
  4. “Shoot Gun From Inside” bill – Will make willfully (or attempting to willfully) discharge a firearm a criminal act if done in any vehicle or building with the intent to do harm or incite fear.
  5. Concealed handguns on private school property and places of worship – Grants authority to certain individuals to carry certain firearms.
  6. Concealed handguns on educational property kept in a closed container – Handguns on educational property will be allowed only by adults who keep firearms in a locked vehicle or a closed container. Firearms will only be permitted to be removed from closed containers exclusively for the purposes for defending the lives of students and faculty.
  7. Permission for concealed-gun permit holders to possess firearms at their place of employment – as long as items are kept in a locked motor vehicle. The bill makes employers or businesses liable to anyone injured if this law is violated. If an employee fails to keep firearms in a locked vehicle while parked at their place of employment, and someone is injured as a result of this violation, the employer is liable for anyone who is injured.
  8. Hunter education permit – New permit requirements for hunters and apprentices.
  9. Hunter education requirement – Changes to hunter education requirements that include a permit, the waiving of requirements for certain disabled individuals, and apprenticeship rules. This proposal establishes a hunting heritage apprentice permit that makes it necessary for all permit holders to earn a hunter education certificate from the Wildlife Resources Commission. If an individual does not qualify or has not yet received an education certificate, the permit allows them to actively hunt as long as they are in the presence of a licensed hunter aged 18 or older.
  10. Support for the right to keep and bear arms – A resolution providing specific support for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms and oppose federal infringement on that right.
  11. Gun Right Amendment proposal – Removes General Assembly’s ability to enact penal statutes against carrying a concealed weapon with a valid permit. Establishes exclusions in regard to place (public and private), and drug or substance influence.
  12. Concealed handguns in restaurants and eating establishments – Unless a sign is posted stating otherwise, guns will be allowed.
The gun law changes above may affect your gun ownership. As a gun owner in North Carolina, you may want to consider the benefits of a gun trust. One of the benefits of gun trusts is that they are flexible and you can update them as you need when gun laws change. Individuals often choose to “own” their weapons in a gun trust because they are concerned about their privacy. One of the bills above may affect how information is shared about your gun ownership. Contact one of our lawyers who create gun trusts to learn about critical changes.