NC H427

Department of Health and Human Services shall launch a two-year statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative to educate the public and distribute gun locks.

Department must develop a website by July 1, 2022 providing information on safe firearm storage methods, free gun lock availability, state laws, domestic violence and suicide prevention resources, and a toolkit for local communities.

Department shall develop and implement an outreach process to disseminate information and provide technical assistance to local communities for launching firearm safety initiatives.

Department may contract with a third-party entity with public health and injury prevention expertise to implement the initiative.

Appropriates $86,500 for fiscal year 2021-2022 and $69,200 for fiscal year 2022-2023 to cover initiative costs, including gun lock purchase and distribution; initiative funds cannot be used to advocate for new or revised firearm regulations.