Rep. Price files bill in North Carolina House to establish extreme risk protection orders

A new bill filed by State Rep. Price in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a legal framework for temporarily restricting firearm access to individuals deemed dangerous, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 166 on Feb. 21 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Allow ERPOs to Prevent Suicides & Save Lives.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes a legal framework in North Carolina for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), allowing courts to temporarily restrict individuals’ access to firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others. The bill outlines the process for filing and serving a petition, detailing who may file, what information must be included, and the criteria for issuing an ERPO. It requires the respondent to surrender firearms, ammunition, and related permits to the sheriff, who may store or contract storage for these items. The bill also allows for the renewal or termination of ERPOs, enhances address confidentiality protections, and mandates the collection and reporting of ERPO data. Violations of ERPO provisions are classified as misdemeanors. The law becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025, with some sections effective immediately upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (eight) 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.

Prince graduated from Tufts University with a BA.

Prince, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 50th House district, replacing previous state representative Graig R. Meyer.