Rep. Clark files bill in North Carolina House to ban ghost guns and undetectable firearms

A new bill filed by State Rep. Tracy Clark in the North Carolina House seeks to ban ghost guns and undetectable firearms to enhance public safety in the state, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 545 on March 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Ban Ghost Guns & Undetectable Firearms.’

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

In essence, this bill amends the General Statutes to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, transfer, use, or possession of ghost guns and undetectable firearms in North Carolina, effective Dec. 1, 2025. A ghost gun is defined as a firearm lacking a unique serial number as required by federal law, excluding those permanently inoperable or not needing a serial number under the Gun Control Act of 1968. Undetectable firearms are identified as those not detectable by standard airport or public building security devices or made entirely of materials like plastic or fiberglass. The prohibition does not apply to federally licensed firearm manufacturers. Violators will face a Class I felony charge.

A related bill, SB 409, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Jay J. Chaudhuri (and one other) on March 24, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (29) 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.

Clark graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2007 with a BA and again in 2012 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Clark, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 57th House district, replacing previous state representative Ashton Clemmons.