Rep. Belk files gun control bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Mary Belk in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance gun safety and reduce firearm-related risks across the state, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 732 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Common Sense Gun Regulations.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill introduces extensive gun control measures aiming to reduce gun violence in North Carolina. It mandates permits for purchasing assault weapons or long guns and imposes a 72-hour waiting period for firearm possession post-purchase. It prohibits selling assault weapons or long guns to minors and bans bump stocks and trigger cranks. The bill enforces safe storage of firearms, revises concealed carry permit reciprocity laws, and requires reporting lost or stolen firearms. It necessitates firearm owners to have liability insurance, limits magazine capacity, allows local firearm regulations, and authorizes the destruction of seized firearms. The bill directs the Department of Public Safety to develop a list of handguns that meet safety standards and prohibits the sale of others. It repeals “Stand Your Ground” laws, forbids leaving firearms in unattended vehicles unless secured, and bans ghost guns. Additionally, it restricts semiautomatic firearm possession for those under 18, mandates sheriffs to report denied permits to the NICS, and requires divestment of gun stocks from state pension funds. The bill also introduces Extreme Risk Protection Orders to limit gun access for individuals deemed dangerous. Most sections become effective Dec. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (40) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Belk graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2006 with a BA.

Belk, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 88th House district, replacing previous state representative Rob Bryan.