Freedom to Carry NC.

The short title and legislative purpose were expanded to include provisions for increasing Line of Duty death benefits, establishing scholarships for children of disabled or slain officers, and increasing penalties for assaulting emergency and law enforcement personnel.

The original short title, which focused exclusively on protecting the right to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, was replaced by a broader title encompassing multiple law enforcement and firearm safety initiatives.

The list of individuals prohibited from carrying concealed handguns was expanded to include those convicted of specific misdemeanor crimes of violence, such as certain assaults and threats against public safety personnel.

Removed the names of primary sponsors (Senators Britt, Daniel, and Settle) and the Judiciary Committee adoption date.

Changed the eligibility criteria to allow any US citizen aged 18 or older to carry a concealed handgun unless explicitly prohibited by law, removing previous restrictions.

Added specific disqualifications for individuals with misdemeanor convictions involving violence against law enforcement, firefighters, and other public safety personnel.

Reduced the penalty for carrying a concealed handgun without a permit from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Added a new requirement that anyone carrying a concealed handgun must carry valid identification and disclose they are carrying a weapon when approached by law enforcement.

Added a new section establishing a general right for US citizens aged 18 and older to carry concealed handguns in North Carolina without needing a permit.

Replaced the previous focus on felon possession with a broader list of disqualifying criteria, including being under felony indictment, having certain mental health adjudications, or being an unlawful user of controlled substances.

Added new legal defenses for carrying weapons, such as legitimate use of a non-firearm weapon or deployment by military permittees.

Modified the rules for carrying handguns in vehicles, clarifying that permits are still required for carrying in a locked vehicle on state property.

The proposed offense was changed from 'discharging a firearm' to 'possessing a firearm' by a felon during the commission of a felony, expanding the circumstances under which a felon could be charged.

The penalty for violating the new provision was adjusted in the text, changing the classification from a Class C felony to a Class F felony.

The document was reorganized into two pages, and the amendment number was updated from A6 to A8, reflecting a revision in the legislative process.

Removed provisions that would have increased punishment for assaulting emergency, medical, and law enforcement personnel.

Added provisions creating a new Class C felony offense for felons who discharge a firearm during the commission or attempted commission of a felony.

Changed the bill's primary objective from victim protection to offender punishment for specific firearm-related crimes.

Removed the proposal to establish a scholarship program for children of permanently disabled or slain law enforcement officers.

Added new provisions to increase the penalty for assault with a firearm against law enforcement, probation, parole, National Guard, detention facility employees, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and telecommunicators from a Class D felony to a Class B1 felony.

Changed the amendment instructions to reference new sections (9.1) regarding assault penalties instead of the previous scholarship program sections (16.7).

The amendment targets children of permanently disabled or slain officers (including correctional officers, firefighters, and rescue workers) rather than just increasing death benefits for all line-of-duty fatalities.

A new requirement was added for the UNC Board of Governors to create a scholarship program covering tuition, fees, and boarding for eligible students aged 17 to 28.

The reporting deadline for the scholarship program was set to July 1, 2026, replacing the previous line-of-duty murder benefit provisions.

The specific provision to increase line-of-duty death benefits from $100,000 to $150,000 was removed from the amendment text.

All text related to protecting the right to carry concealed handguns, including exemptions and permit reciprocity, was removed.

The death benefit amount for covered persons killed in the line of duty was increased from $100,000 to $150,000.

An additional death benefit of $150,000 (instead of $100,000) was established for covered persons murdered in the line of duty.

The document header was updated to reflect an amendment status (A1) rather than a newly filed bill.