Bill
HB 784
Prohibits manufacturing, transferring, or possessing defined semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in North Carolina, with certain grandfathered exceptions.
Status & Timeline
- Introduced / Filed: 2024–2025 session (first reading passed).
- Effective date: December 1, 2025. Applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
Purpose
- To prohibit the manufacture, transfer, and possession of specified semiautomatic “assault weapons” and to prohibit transfers and possession of certain large‑capacity ammunition feeding devices (magazines), while establishing limited exceptions and marking requirements.
Key definitions (summary)
- Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device: a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device made after the bill’s effective date that holds, or can be readily restored or converted to hold, more than 10 rounds. (Excludes tubular .22 rimfire devices.)
- Semiautomatic Assault Weapon: includes (a) a list of specifically named models or copies (e.g., Colt AR‑15, certain AK variants, Uzi, Galil, Steyr AUG, TEC‑9, revolving cylinder shotguns such as Street Sweeper/Striker 12), and (b) semiautomatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns that accept detachable magazines (or otherwise) and possess specified military‑style features (examples: folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip, flash suppressor/threaded barrel, grenade launcher, bayonet mount, magazine outside grip for pistols, heavy unloaded weight for pistols, fixed magazine capacity >5 for shotguns).
Prohibitions
- It is unlawful to manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (as defined).
- It is unlawful to transfer or possess a large‑capacity ammunition feeding device (as defined).
Exceptions (not exhaustive)
- Weapons or magazines lawfully possessed or manufactured on or before the effective date (i.e., a grandfather clause for existing lawful owners).
- Firearms manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide; firearms rendered permanently inoperable; antique firearms.
- Semiautomatic rifles or shotguns that cannot accept detachable magazines holding more than five rounds (or otherwise limited to five rounds).
- Government and law‑enforcement uses (U.S. or State agencies) and transfers to law enforcement for law enforcement purposes; certain transfers to licensees under federal nuclear regulation for security; retired law‑enforcement officers may possess weapons transferred by their agency upon retirement.
- Licensed manufacturers/importers may manufacture, transfer, or possess for authorized testing/experimentation per federal law.
Identification / marking requirements
- Serial number of any semiautomatic assault weapon manufactured in the State after the effective date must clearly show the date of manufacture.
- Large capacity feeding devices manufactured in the State after the effective date must carry a serial number indicating manufacture/import after the effective date.
Penalty
- Violation is a Class E felony (criminal penalties under North Carolina law).
Who is affected
- Current and prospective owners of firearms that meet the definitions (retail buyers, private sellers, collectors).
- Firearm and magazine manufacturers, importers, and retailers (limits on future manufacture/transfer/possession; some permitted activities for licensed entities).
- Law enforcement agencies and authorized security entities (explicitly excepted for specified purposes).
- Shooting ranges, gunsmiths, and training providers will be affected to the extent they handle covered weapons/magazines made after the effective date.
Practical impact
- Creates a ban on future manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession (subject to exceptions) of listed models and feature‑defined semiautomatic weapons and of newly manufactured/ imported magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Existing legally owned covered items are generally grandfathered. The bill imposes criminal liability for violations and requires marking/serialization for items produced in‑state after the effective date.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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