AN ACT to authorize local law enforcement agencies to destroy unclaimed firearms and firearms confiscated after conviction of certain offenses.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 15‑11.1(b1)(3) reads as rewritten:

(3)      By ordering the firearm turned over to be destroyed by the sheriff of the county in which the firearm was seized or by his duly authorized agent if the firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or modification. agent. The sheriff shall maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm.

SECTION 2.  G.S. 15‑11.2(d)(1) reads as rewritten:

(1)      By having the firearm destroyed if the firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or modification and will not be disposed of pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection. The head or chief of the law enforcement agency shall maintain a record of the destruction of the firearm.

SECTION 3.  G.S. 14‑269.1(4) reads as rewritten:

(4)      By ordering such weapon turned over to the sheriff of the county in which the trial is held or his duly authorized agent to be destroyed if the firearm does not have a legible, unique identification number or is unsafe for use because of wear, damage, age, or modification. destroyed. The sheriff shall maintain a record of the destruction thereof.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023, and applies to any firearm found or received by a local law enforcement agency on or after that date.