NC H139

Establishes a Joint Legislative Study Commission on Youth Gun Violence to study gun availability to juveniles, incidence of youth gun violence in North Carolina, educational programs, handgun buyback programs, and youth mentoring initiatives.

Commission comprises 12 members: 2 House Representatives, 2 Senators, 4 public members (appointed by House Speaker, Senate President Pro Tempore, House minority leader, and Senate minority leader), and 2 public members appointed by the Governor.

Two cochairs designated by the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore shall lead the Commission, which receives meeting space, funding, and staff support from the Legislative Services Commission.

Commission must submit final report with proposed legislation to the General Assembly by May 1, 2020, and terminates on that date or upon filing the report, whichever occurs first.

Act becomes effective upon passage; cites statistics showing over 1,000 annual gun violence deaths in North Carolina and 26,000 children and teens killed nationally since 1999, with teen fatalities increasing 30% between 2013 and 2016.