North Carolina SB 398: Prohibit Weapons at Voting Place.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 398

Short Title: Prohibit Weapons at Voting Place. (Public)
Sponsors: Senator Mayfield (Primary Sponsor).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 25, 2025
*S398-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OR CARRYING OF A DANGEROUS WEAPON 2
AT OR WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF A VOTING PLACE. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 35 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding 5
a new section to read: 6
"§ 14-269.5. Weapons at voting place. 7
(a) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term (i) "dangerous weapon" is as 8
defined in G.S. 14-277.2 and (ii) "voting place" is as defined in G.S. 163-165. 9
(b) Prohibition. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, it shall be 10
unlawful for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any dangerous weapon 11
(i) at a location used as a voting place, (ii) within 100 feet from the door of entrance to a location 12
used as a voting place, or (iii) while in line to vote at a location used as a voting place. The 13
prohibition set forth in this subsection only applies while the location is open and being used as 14
a voting place. 15
(c) Punishment. – Any person who violates the prohibition set forth in subsection (b) of 16
this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 17
(d) Exception. – The prohibition in subsection (b) of this section does not apply to a law 18
enforcement officer acting in discharge of the officer's official duties." 19
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses 20
committed on or after that date. 21