NC UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK ACT.

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View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
Senate Bill 852 (Public) Filed Thursday, May 2, 2024
AN ACT TO REQUIRE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE SALE OF FIREARMS AND TO APPROPRIATE NONRECURRING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CREATE AND DISSEMINATE A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT MAKING THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE LAW REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE SALE OF FIREARMS.
Intro. by Batch, Garrett, Grafstein.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (May 6 2024)

Bill History:

S 852

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: May 6 2024 - View Summary

    Adds new Article 53D, Universal Background Check, to GS Chapter 14, providing as follows. Prohibits a federally licensed firearm dealer from selling, transferring, or delivering a firearm to a private person without conducting a background check that includes verifying the private person's identity by examining a government-issued identification card and conducting a check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Makes it illegal for the following persons to possess a firearm: (1) under an indictment or information for, or has been convicted in any state or in any court of the United States of, a felony (other than an offense pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, or restraints of trade); (2) fugitive from justice; (3) unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug; (4) adjudicated mentally incompetent or has been committed to any mental institution; (5) alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States; (6) discharged from the US Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; (7) has renounced his or her US citizenship; (8) subject to a court order that was issued after a hearing of which the person received actual notice, and at which the person had an opportunity to participate, that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of the intimate partner, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child, and that includes a finding that the person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of the intimate partner or child, or by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury. Makes it illegal for a federally licensed firearm dealer to sell, transfer, or deliver a firearm to another person if the background check reveals that possession by the person would violate the law or if the dealer knows or has reason to know that the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Makes it a Class F felony for a federally licensed firearm dealer to sell, transfer, or deliver a firearm to a person in violation of this Article, or any person to provide materially false information to the dealer with the intent of illegally obtaining a firearm.

    Makes it illegal for a private person to transfer a firearm to another without conducting a background check through a federally licensed firearm dealer and the firearm dealer verifying that the transfer is not illegal. Defines transfer. Sets out exceptions for transactions involving specified family members and guardians. Requires a private person transferring a firearm keep a record of the transaction, with required details and to turn that record over to law enforcement agencies upon request. Violations are a Class F felony.

    Applies to transfers of firearms occurring on or after October 1, 2024.  

    Appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety in nonrecurring funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to create and disseminate a public service announcement making the public aware of the act. Effective July 1, 2024.