AN ACT to permit self‑defense devices on higher education property and to appropriate funds to advertise this change.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 14‑269.2 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(i2)     The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person 18 years of age or older who carries or possesses, whether openly or concealed, a self‑defense device on any property owned, used, or operated by a school of higher education. Further, a school of higher education shall not prohibit a person 18 years of age or older, including a staff member, student, employee, or other person lawfully present on the property owned, used, or operated by the school of higher education, from carrying a self‑defense device for purposes of self‑defense while on property owned, used, or operated by the school of higher education. For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions apply:

(1)        School of higher education. – A community college, college, or university.

(2)        Self‑defense device. – Pepper spray, pepper gel, mace, a taser, an ordinary pocket knife, or other similar nonlethal devices. This term does not include any device enumerated in subsection (b), (b1), or (d) of this section that is not otherwise specifically allowed under this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision, the term ordinary pocket knife is as defined in G.S. 14‑269.

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 14‑269 reads as rewritten:

§ 14‑269.  Carrying concealed weapons.

(a)        It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and intentionally to carry concealed about his or her person any bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shuriken, stun gun, or other deadly weapon of like kind, except when the person is on the person's own premises.

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(e)        Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a person 18 years of age or older who, in accordance with G.S. 14‑269.2(i2), carries concealed a self‑defense device on property owned, used, or operated by a school of higher education. The definitions set forth in G.S. 14‑269.2(i2) apply to the terms in this subsection.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to advertise the changes occurring in Section 1 of this act to members of the public and students and staff at public and private institutions of higher education located in North Carolina.

SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. The remainder of this act becomes effective July 1, 2026.