Senate Bill 849 Summary

• Reinstates pistol purchase permit requirement for private sales in North Carolina, transferring permit issuance authority from county sheriffs to the State Bureau of Investigation, with permits expiring five years from issuance date.

• Requires universal background checks for all firearm transfers between private persons and federally licensed dealers, effective December 1, 2024, with exemptions for loans of 14 days or less and transfers among immediate family members.

• Strengthens safe storage laws by making it a Class D felony to store firearms accessible to minors or unauthorized persons who subsequently gain access and commit crimes or cause injury.

• Authorizes Extreme Risk Protection Orders allowing courts to temporarily restrict firearm access when a person poses danger to themselves or others, with ex parte orders issued within 24 hours and full orders lasting up to one year, and requires firearm surrender to sheriffs.

• Exempts firearm safety equipment and storage devices from sales tax, effective October 1, 2024, and expands the Address Confidentiality Program to protect Extreme Risk Protection Order petitioners from disclosure of their addresses.