Rep. Moss files bill in North Carolina House to limit local firearm regulations

A new bill filed by State Rep. Ben T. Moss Jr. seeks to limit local governments’ authority to regulate sport shooting ranges and firearm discharge on private property in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 9 on Jan. 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance.’

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

In essence, this bill seeks to limit the regulatory power of local governments in North Carolina regarding sport shooting ranges and the discharge of firearms on private property. It revises existing statutes, preempting local governments from regulating the location and construction of sport shooting ranges. It also restricts counties and cities from prohibiting the discharge of firearms under certain conditions, such as hunting, self-defense, obeying law enforcement directions, or on private property with the owner’s permission and reasonable precautions to prevent any projectiles from crossing property boundaries. The act will void any municipal or county ordinances inconsistent with its provisions once it becomes law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Keith Kidwell proposed the most bills (seven) 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.

Moss, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 52nd House district, replacing previous state representative Jamie Boles.