This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in North Carolina to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms openly or concealed without needing a permit. The change would apply to any U.S. citizen who has not been convicted of a violent crime or drug offense and has not been declared mentally incompetent, unless they are on property that is legally posted against carrying weapons. While the amendment removes the requirement for a permit, it states that a permit system will still be maintained to help with reciprocity with other states and to facilitate purchasing weapons. The bill does not take effect immediately but must be approved by voters in a referendum scheduled for the November 3, 2026, general election.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow any law-abiding citizen in North Carolina to carry a legal weapon for self-defense, either openly or concealed, without needing a permit. The proposal would remove the current prohibition on concealed carry while maintaining a permit system solely for reciprocity with other states and to facilitate weapon purchases. Eligibility for this right is restricted to individuals who have not been indicted or convicted of a violent crime or a felony involving controlled substances and who have not been adjudicated mentally incompetent. The amendment would also establish that carrying is not allowed on public or private property that is legally posted against it. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this change would become part of the state constitution.
This North Carolina bill prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing opaque facial coverings, such as balaclavas or tactical masks, while performing their duties, unless specific exceptions apply. The law allows for exceptions during active undercover operations, tactical situations requiring physical safety protection, and when protecting an officer's identity during prosecution, while also permitting religious head coverings and medical masks. To enforce this rule, agencies must create and publicly post written policies that prioritize transparency and limit the use of coverings to clearly defined circumstances. Additionally, the bill requires officers to clearly display their agency identification on uniforms and to identify themselves by name or badge number upon request. The legislation also includes a provision that removes certain legal protections for officers who commit specific torts, like assault or false imprisonment, while knowingly violating the facial covering ban.
This bill strengthens penalties for assault by strangulation in North Carolina, directly affecting individuals who commit such acts against others. It establishes new felony classifications, making strangulation causing physical injury a Class H G felony and general strangulation a Class H felony, while also clarifying the legal definition of strangulation as obstructing breathing or blood circulation. Additionally, the legislation allocates $3 million in state funds starting in 2026-2027 to run a public awareness campaign about these increased punishments. The changes will take effect on December 1, 2026, and will apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.
HB 52, the "Protect Those Who Serve and Protect Act of 2025," increases penalties for assaults against public safety personnel and their animals. It creates a new Class I felony offense for throwing, spraying, or projecting substances (like water) at public safety officers or law enforcement/search and rescue animals while they are on duty or due to their role. The bill also prohibits intentionally pointing laser devices at these protected individuals or animals during duty. These changes update existing assault laws to explicitly cover a wider range of emergency workers (including firefighters, medical staff, National Guard members, and school employees) and add specific protections for animals used in public safety.
HB 942 allocates $10 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. This funding will be distributed by the Coalition to partner organizations, including domestic violence programs, rape crisis centers, and child advocacy centers. The bill directs these organizations to use the funds for victim advocacy services, such as counseling and support for survivors of sexual assault. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly supports survivors by strengthening local victim services.
HB 784 prohibits the manufacture, transfer, and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (like AR-15s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds in North Carolina, effective December 1, 2025. The bill defines specific firearms and features (e.g., folding stocks, pistol grips) that classify weapons as "assault weapons," while setting a 10-round limit for magazines. Exceptions include existing owners of such weapons before the law’s effective date, law enforcement, antique firearms, and weapons that cannot accept large magazines. Violations are punishable as a Class E felony.
HB 621 appropriates $1.5 million from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to Safe Alliance, Inc. for its Umbrella Center in Charlotte. The funds will directly support the center's services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking by enabling additional land acquisition and a deceleration lane. The bill requires the funds to be used specifically for expanding these victim services and infrastructure. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee.
SB 717 (North Carolina) increases penalties for assault by strangulation by creating three new felony classifications based on injury severity. It establishes a Class F felony for strangulation causing serious bodily injury (defined as risk of death, disfigurement, permanent impairment, or prolonged hospitalization), a Class H G felony for strangulation causing physical injury, and a Class H felony for strangulation without specified injury. The law directly affects individuals convicted of strangulation assaults in North Carolina, defining "strangulation" as pressure on the throat/neck or obstruction of nose/mouth. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.
HB 534 appropriates $700,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to establish sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Each college receives $350,000 to hire a full-time faculty member ($105,000), a clinical coordinator ($105,000), purchase equipment/supplies ($45,000), and cover program development and accreditation costs ($95,000). The bill directly affects these two community colleges and future healthcare professionals seeking SANE certification. It creates a concrete funding mechanism to expand training capacity for nurses specializing in sexual assault victim care.
