Rep. Clark files bill in North Carolina House to limit ammunition magazine capacity

A new bill filed by State Rep. Tracy Clark in the North Carolina House seeks to restrict the manufacture, sale, and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 622 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Limit Excessive Mag Sizes.’

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

In essence, the bill limits the size of ammunition magazines by prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of large-capacity magazines in North Carolina. Specifically, the bill defines a large-capacity magazine as any device capable of accepting more than 10 rounds of ammunition or more than eight shotgun shells. The first violation of this restriction is a Class 2 misdemeanor, with subsequent violations classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, and possession during a felony results in a Class I felony. Exceptions include entities manufacturing magazines for certain governmental and out-of-state entities and individuals modifying or surrendering magazines by a specified deadline. The bill takes effect on Dec. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (32) 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.