HB 427 – Firearm Safe Storage Awareness Initiative

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico); Rep. Jerry Carter (R-Rockingham); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Carson Smith (R-Columbus, Pender)

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to take the following actions related to firearm safe storage awareness:

  • Launch a two-year statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative to educate the public about the importance of the safe storage of firearms and to facilitate the distribution of gun locks.
  • Develop a website to provide information and a toolkit of resources to the public related to the initiative.
  • Develop and implement an outreach process for disseminating information and resources related to the initiative to the public and local communities.
  • Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services regarding DHHS’ progress with the initiative no later than September 1, 2022.

This bill also prohibits the initiative from being used to advocate, promote, or lobby for the creation of new, or the revision of existing, laws regulating firearms.

This bill appropriates $86,500 in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the sum of $69,200 in nonrecurring funds from the 2022-2023 fiscal year to DHHS to be used to cover the costs of launching the initiative, including the purchase and distribution of gun locks.

Movement

Filed – 3/25/2021