Rep. Pike files bill in North Carolina House to amend handgun permit process

A new bill filed by State Rep. Pike seeks to simplify the mental health disclosure process for concealed handgun permit applicants in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 427 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘CCW Permit/No Records Provided.’

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

In essence, the bill amends the process for obtaining a concealed handgun permit in North Carolina by replacing the required disclosure of detailed mental health records with a “Yes” or “No” statement, indicating whether an applicant has been diagnosed with a mental illness by a medical professional. Entities providing this information must respond within 15 days with the reason for any affirmative response. The bill ensures protection from liability for those providing statements without fraud or malice and prohibits charging applicants additional fees for background checks. The sheriff must issue or deny the permit within 45 days and provide written notification, including contact details of entities responding with “Yes.” The Administrative Office of the Courts must update the release form by Sept. 30, 2025. The act takes effect on Oct. 1, 2025, and applies to applications submitted from that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Keith Kidwell proposed the most bills (25) 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.

Pike, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 6th House district, replacing previous state representative Paul O’Neal.