A new bill introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly aims to enhance firearm safety by requiring the reporting of lost or stolen firearms, providing a sales tax exemption for firearm safety equipment, and implementing a public awareness campaign.
The proposed legislation, titled “The Jenesis Firearm Accountability Act,” seeks to improve public safety by helping law enforcement track missing firearms and deter gun-related crimes. Under the bill, firearm owners would be required to report a lost or stolen firearm to law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering it is missing. The report would include details such as the make, model, and serial number of the firearm, along with the date and location of the loss or theft.
For a first offense, individuals would receive a written warning. A second offense would result in a fine of up to $500, while a third or subsequent violation could lead to a fine of up to $1,000. If a firearm that was not reported as lost or stolen is later used in a crime, the owner may be held civilly liable and, in some cases, face criminal charges. However, individuals who report lost or stolen firearms as required would be shielded from liability for any crimes committed with the weapon after reporting it.
The bill also includes a provision to make firearm safety equipment, such as gun safes and locking devices, exempt from state sales tax. Additionally, $500,000 would be allocated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety to create an educational campaign about the new reporting requirements.
If passed, the law would take effect in phases, with reporting requirements and tax exemptions beginning October 1, 2025, and the educational campaign launching on July 1, 2025.
