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Bill Summary · HB 350

HB 350 — “Report Lost/Stolen Firearm Within 24 Hours” (North Carolina) — Summary

Note: Multiple documents bearing the label “HB 350” were provided from different states and contexts. This summary focuses on the North Carolina bill titled “Report Lost/Stolen Firearm Within 24 Hours,” which is the text reproduced under the North Carolina General Assembly heading.

Main purpose

To require firearm owners in North Carolina to report the loss or theft of a firearm within 24 hours of discovering the loss or theft, and to ensure key identifying information is entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to assist law enforcement investigations.

Key provisions

  • Reporting duty: Any owner of a firearm (as defined in G.S. 14‑408.1(a)) must report a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours after discovery.
  • Where to report: Reports may be made to either (i) the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where the loss/theft occurred, or (ii) the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
  • Required content of report (to the extent known):
    • Firearm caliber, make, model, manufacturer, and serial number.
    • Any other distinguishing number or identification mark.
    • Circumstances of the loss/theft, including date, place, and manner.
  • Database entry: A local law enforcement agency or the SBI that receives such a report must enter the firearm information specified above (caliber, make, model, serial number, to the extent known) into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
  • Penalties:
    • First violation = Class 3 misdemeanor.
    • Second or subsequent violation = Class I felony.
  • Effective date and scope: The act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Who is affected

  • Primary: All owners of firearms in North Carolina (as defined by the referenced statute).
  • Secondary: Local law enforcement agencies and the SBI (responsible for receiving reports and entering data into NCIC), and the criminal justice system (charged with enforcement and prosecution of violations).

Potential impacts

  • Public safety/Investigations: Earlier and standardized reporting could improve recovery rates and aid criminal investigations by making firearm identifying data rapidly available through NCIC.
  • Compliance burden: Places an immediate 24‑hour reporting obligation on firearm owners — may increase contacts with law enforcement and require public outreach/education about the duty to report.
  • Law enforcement workload: Additional reporting and NCIC entry requirements will generate new administrative tasks for local agencies and the SBI.
  • Criminal consequences: Failure to report can trigger misdemeanor or felony charges on repeat violations, which may affect prosecutorial caseloads.

Legislative status / timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced/Filed: Nov 12, 2024 (filed); also appears under filing dates in early 2025 in some records.
  • Read first time / passed 1st reading.
  • Effective date (if enacted): December 1, 2025.
  • As of record excerpts provided: listed as “Currently Indefinitely Postponed” (May 6, 2025 entry) and later action postponed indefinitely (June 3, 2025).

If you want, I can:
- Pull or cite the exact statutory language to compare with current G.S. 14‑408.1 definitions; or
- Draft a one‑page compliance checklist for firearm owners summarizing what to report and how.

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

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