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Bill Summary · SB 955

Summary: SB 955 (North Carolina, 2025 Session) – Permit Self-Defense Devices on College Campus

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to permit individuals 18 years of age and older on higher education property to carry certain self-defense devices without being subject to concealed-weapons prohibitions.
  • It also appropriates funds to advertise these changes to the public and to faculty, staff, and students across higher education institutions in North Carolina.

Key Provisions and Changes

1) Expanded Allowance for Self-Defense Devices on Higher Education Property

  • Amends G.S. 14-269.2(i2) to create an explicit carve-out:
    • An adult (18+) may carry or possess a self-defense device on property owned, used, or operated by a school of higher education (community college, college, or university), whether carried openly or concealed.
    • A higher education institution may not prohibit a person 18+ on its property from carrying a self-defense device for self-defense.
  • Definitions (within the new subsection):
    • Self-defense device includes: pepper spray, pepper gel, mace, a taser, an ordinary pocket knife, or other similar nonlethal devices.
    • The term excludes devices listed in other subsections of G.S. 14-269 that are not otherwise specifically permitted under this new subsection.
    • The term “ordinary pocket knife” follows the definition in G.S. 14-269.

2) Alignment with Concealed Weapons Carry

  • Amends G.S. 14-269 (carrying concealed weapons) to add a carve-out:
    • Subsection (a)’s prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons do not apply to a person 18+ who, consistent with G.S. 14-269.2(i2), carries a self-defense device on higher education property.
    • The definitions in G.S. 14-269.2(i2) apply for purposes of this subsection.

3) Funding for Advertisement

  • An appropriation of $10,000 (nonrecurring) from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors.
  • Purpose: To advertise the changes in Section 1 to the public and to students/staff at public and private higher education institutions in North Carolina during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Note: The funding is one-time and nonrecurring.

4) Effective Dates and Applicability

  • Section 3 (effective date provisions):
    • The changes to Section 1 become effective December 1, 2026, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.
    • The remainder of the act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Affected Parties

  • Individuals 18 years or older on higher education campuses (students, staff, visitors) who wish to carry self-defense devices as defined.
  • Higher education institutions (community colleges, colleges, and universities in North Carolina) subject to campus policy regarding possession on property but bound by the new statutory carve-out.
  • Law enforcement and campus safety personnel who would interpret and enforce carrying of self-defense devices on campus post-enactment.
  • The University of North Carolina system (via the Board of Governors) for the advertising grant.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Filing date: April 30, 2026.
  • Effective dates:
    • General advertising provisions and broader statutory framework: July 1, 2026.
    • Specific changes to allow self-defense devices on higher education property: December 1, 2026.
  • Application window: Offenses after December 1, 2026 would be subject to the new allowances; existing campus policies may require updates to reflect the statutory change.

Practical Implications

  • Campus policies on possession of pepper spray, tasers, pocket knives, and similar devices may need to be updated to align with the new statutory allowance for 18+ individuals.
  • Individuals on campus may carry self-defense devices for personal protection, subject to the definitions and limitations in the bill.
  • Institutions must balance the new allowance with existing safety protocols, training, and security considerations.
  • Publicizing the change via the allocated $10,000 funding to raise awareness among students, staff, and the broader community.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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