Rep. Smith files bill on gun regulations in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Smith seeks to revise gun regulation policies, including permit issuance and firearm storage options, to enhance firearm management in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 674 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘The Firearms Liberty Act.’

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

In essence, this bill, titled “The Firearms Liberty Act,” outlines multiple provisions related to gun regulations in North Carolina. It allows for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits alongside fixed-duration permits. Military personnel with expired fixed-duration permits during deployment are permitted to carry concealed handguns for 90 days post-deployment without immediate renewal. Under certain conditions, permit holders whose licenses have lapsed may renew without retaking safety courses. The bill also provides a mechanism for individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders to store or sell their firearms through licensed dealers. Furthermore, it allows schools to use biometric safes for storing defensive devices as a part of school safety measures. Certain effective dates are noted, including December 1, 2025, for modifications related to school defensive devices, and October 1, 2025, for renewal provisions.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Keith Kidwell proposed the most bills (29) 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.

Smith, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 16th House district, replacing previous state representative Bob Muller.