NC lawmaker introduces legislation tightening firearm rules, enhancing protective orders

State Rep. Laura Budd has introduced legislation intended to reinforce firearm restrictions for those under protective orders while creating new processes for judicial risk assessment, based on information released by the North Carolina State House.

Designated as HB 1208 and filed April 30 during the 2025 regular session, the bill carries the short title: ‘Community Safety Risk Protection Act.’

Below is our summary of the measure, referencing the official bill text, with clarifications to support understanding of its provisions.

The bill directs individuals subject to certain civil no-contact orders to turn in any firearms, ammunition and associated permits, and establishes that possession or acquisition of guns in violation of those orders constitutes a Class H felony. It sets out detailed requirements for storage, return or disposal of surrendered firearms. Additionally, the bill creates an Individual Risk Protection Order process, enabling law enforcement, judges and specified health professionals to petition for temporary court orders to disarm those deemed a danger to themselves or others, with provisions for ex parte and final orders, renewal, termination, criminal penalties and due process. The measure also adds IRPO petitioners to the Address Confidentiality Program and allocates $10,000 for the development of a statewide court information system. The majority of firearm policies go into effect Dec. 1, 2026.

During the 2025 session, Budd also filed 25 additional bills.

North Carolina legislation moves through a multi-step approval pathway. Lawmakers start by filing a bill, which is then referred to a committee for evaluation. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If there are amendments after one chamber passes it, both chambers must consent to the revised version. When both agree on the text, the bill proceeds to the governor, who has 10 days to act (or 30 days if the legislature is out of session) — via signature, veto, or allowing it to become law without a signature.

Further information on state measures and legislative actions is available here.

Budd earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio University in 1999 and her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2002.

Elected in 2023, Budd, a Democrat, represents North Carolina State House District 103, succeeding former Rep. Rachel Hunt.