Senate Bill 503 Summary

• Repeals the existing paper pistol permit system in North Carolina (G.S. 14-402, 14-403, and 14-404).

• Requires pistol dealers to send electronic notifications to the county sheriff for each background check conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) within 10 business days of the transaction.

• Modifies the sheriff's record-keeping requirements to maintain records of electronic notifications from dealers instead of issuing paper permits.

• Maintains confidentiality protections for dealer and sheriff records, with access limited to law enforcement agencies and court-ordered releases.

• Becomes effective December 1, 2017, for all pistol sales and offenses on or after that date.