A new bill filed by State Sen. Bradley seeks to enhance firearm accountability by requiring timely reporting of lost or stolen guns and promoting safety measures, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 161 on Feb. 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘The Jenesis Firearm Accountability Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill, titled “The Jenesis Firearm Accountability Act,” mandates that individuals report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 48 hours, with repeated violations resulting in escalating fines and potential civil liability if the firearm is used in a crime. It grants immunity from liability for those who report in compliance and ensures the bill does not create a firearm registry. Additionally, the bill introduces a sales tax exemption on equipment designed to prevent unauthorized firearm access, such as gun safes and lockboxes. It allocates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety to conduct an educational campaign about these responsibilities, consulting with state law enforcement associations. Sections of the bill take effect on July 1, 2025, and October 1, 2025.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Bradley proposed the most bills (three) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Bradley graduated from Hollins University in 1995 with a BA.
Bradley, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 42nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Rachel Hunt.
| Legislative Session | Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Woodson Bradley, Caleb Theodros, and Val Applewhite | SB 161 | 02/25/2025 | The Jenesis Firearm Accountability Act. |
| 2025 | Woodson Bradley | SB 138 | 02/24/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Mecklenburg Co. |
| 2025 | Woodson Bradley, Kandie D. Smith, and Terence Everitt | SB 134 | 02/21/2025 | Inclusionary Zoning/Workforce Housing Funds. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 909 | 05/15/2024 | Protect Women’s Healthcare. |
| 2023 | Natasha R. Marcus and Rachel Hunt | SB 831 | 05/02/2024 | Menstrual Products Sales Tax Exemption. |
| 2023 | Natasha R. Marcus and Rachel Hunt | SB 892 | 05/02/2024 | Student Voter ID Grant Program/CCs. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 642 | 04/05/2023 | Independent Redistricting Commission. |
| 2023 | Natasha R. Marcus and Rachel Hunt | SB 537 | 04/04/2023 | The Patrick Mays Hazard Light Safety Act. |
| 2023 | Natasha R. Marcus and Rachel Hunt | SB 462 | 04/03/2023 | Highway Safety Omnibus/Addit’l Magistrates. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 493 | 04/03/2023 | Go Big for Early Childhood Education. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 502 | 04/03/2023 | Modify School Performance Grades. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 522 | 04/03/2023 | Informational Literacy Bill. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 532 | 04/03/2023 | Restore State Emp/Teacher Retiree Med Benefit. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 440 | 03/30/2023 | Increase NC Minimum Wage/$15. |
| 2023 | Natasha R. Marcus and Rachel Hunt | SB 229 | 03/08/2023 | School Calendar Flexibility/Charlotte-Meck. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 196 | 03/02/2023 | Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 184 | 03/01/2023 | Restore Master’s Pay for Teachers & ISP. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 185 | 03/01/2023 | Restore Educator Longevity. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 74 | 02/06/2023 | Parents’ and Students’ Bill of Rights. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 63 | 02/02/2023 | 42nd Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
| 2023 | Rachel Hunt | SB 19 | 01/25/2023 | Codify Roe and Casey Protections. |
