Firearms Rules, Public-Official Protections Now in Effect as New NC Law (HB 193) Takes Hold
New law allows private schools to authorize trained armed personnel, permits worship carry on school campuses, toughens penalties for threats to officials, and protects police shooting ranges
Holly Springs, NC, Dec. 9, 2025 — Several major public-safety provisions are now officially in effect across North Carolina, as Session Law 2025-81 (House Bill 193) took full effect on December 1st, specifically its school-related provisions, worship provisions, felony penalty upgrades, and pretrial release changes. Earlier portions of the law, covering shooting range protections, have been in effect since July 29th.
The law affects private schools, places of worship on school campuses, criminal penalties for threats or assaults against public officials, oversight of pretrial release decisions, and rules governing long-standing law enforcement shooting ranges.
Nonpublic Schools Now Allowed to Authorize Armed Personnel
Private and parochial schools may now allow specific employees or volunteers to carry firearms or stun guns on school grounds if the school’s governing board or administrative director grants written authorization.
To qualify:
Individuals must hold a valid concealed handgun permit.
They must complete at least 8 hours of additional firearms safety training each year, in addition to the concealed carry requirement.
The school must adopt written procedures for weapons and provide them to parents annually.
Authorization applies only while on that school’s property.
This authority is not extended to public schools, creating a policy distinction between public and nonpublic K-12 operations.
Concealed Handguns Permitted During Worship at Schools
Places of worship located on school property are now allowed to permit concealed handguns during religious services and ceremonial events such as funerals, weddings, baptisms, and other sacraments. This is permitted only:
When the individual has a valid concealed handgun permit.
When the firearm is carried specifically during the worship function (and the campus is not posted prohibiting carry).
When the function occurs outside regular school operating hours, unless the person is physically attending the religious service.
The provision applies to K-12 facilities, not colleges or universities.
Penalties Raised for Threats and Assaults on Public Officials
A significant portion of the law increases penalties for assaults or threats against North Carolina executive, legislative, judicial, or local elected officials.
Previously, many of these crimes were prosecuted as Class I felonies, the lowest felony classification, often resulting in probation or short sentences (3–12 months).
Under the new law, many of these offenses are now Class H felonies with sentencing ranges of 4–25 months, substantially increasing the likelihood of incarceration.
The enhanced penalties apply to:
Direct assaults;
Retaliatory actions tied to official duties;
Mailed threats;
Violent attacks on officials’ residences, offices, or transportation.
In effect, behavior once treated as the lowest felony tier now carries a meaningful risk of incarceration.
Judges Now Control Pretrial Release in Threat Cases
For arrests involving threats or assaults against covered officials, only a judge, not a magistrate, may now set release conditions. Judges must review the defendant’s criminal history in determining terms of release and may issue stay-away restrictions to protect the alleged victim.
Judges may temporarily retain defendants for safety purposes, but must act within 48 hours. If that window passes without judicial action, a magistrate steps in.
Shooting Range Protections in Force Since July
The law also protects law enforcement shooting ranges that relocate after operating for at least 25 years. These provisions became effective when the veto was overridden on July 29, 2025.
Under the law:
Local governments may not prohibit nighttime firearms training if the agency provides 48 hours’ notice.
Local governments may not impose setbacks exceeding 100 feet.
Legal protections are applied based on the range’s original operating date.
The change ensures that relocating a longstanding range does not compromise its operational capabilities.
Pros and Cons
Supporters note that the law offers more flexibility for nonpublic school security policies, clarifies firearm rules for worship facilities, strengthens deterrence against threats to public officials, and ensures uninterrupted police training.
Opponents raise concerns about firearms on K-12 campuses (though regulated), inconsistencies between public and private school rules, potential confusion over where “school time” ends and “worship time” begins, and limited recourse for neighborhoods affected by nighttime police training.