Amends GS 50B-3.1 (Surrender and disposal of firearms; violations; exceptions), as follows. Amends subsection (e) to allow a defendant to obtain any weapons surrendered under the section without a further court order if (1) the court doesn’t enter a protective order when the ex parte or emergency order expires, or (2) the protective order is denied by the court after a hearing. Requires the sheriff to run a background check on the defendant to ensure that they are not prohibited from possessing firearms before releasing the surrendered firearms. Amends subsection (g) to allow third parties who own items surrendered to a sheriff under a protective order to file a motion for their return at any time prior to their disposal under subsection (h) (was, motion must be filed within 30 days after seizure). Amends subsection (h), pertaining to disposal of firearms, to require the sheriff who has control of the firearms, ammunition or permits (collectively, firearms) to also give notice to any third-party owner before applying to the court for an order disposing of the firearms (currently, just has to give notice to the defendant). Modifies the conditions that trigger the sheriff’s right to dispose of the firearms, so that the sheriff can only do so in the following three circumstances:

The defendant or third-party owner has not filed a motion requesting the return of the firearms within 90 days after the expiration of the current protective order or final disposition of any pending criminal charges committed against the person who is the subject of that order and the defendant has not retrieved the firearms. (Currently, just defendant and required to act within time period prescribed by GS 50B-3.1.)
The court has determined that the defendant or third-party owner is precluded from regaining the surrendered firearms. (Currently, just defendant.)
The defendant or third-party owner fails to remit all fees for the storage of the firearms within 30 days of either the entry of an order granting the return of the firearms or a request to retrieve the firearms.

Expands the persons eligible to receive the net sale proceeds to include the third-party owner if they make a request before a hearing on the issue of sale. (Currently, just defendant.) Makes conforming changes.   
Effective December 1, 2025, and apply to firearms, ammunition, and permits surrendered on or after that date. Beginning February 1, 2026, the act applies to firearms, ammunition, and permits surrendered before the date the act becomes law.
Amends GS 132-1.4(c)(4) to remove the contents of a 911 or other emergency call where the caller is less than 18 years of age from being considered a public record. Makes clarifying changes to the subsection.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 50B-3.1, 132-1.4