HB 61

Amends GS 14-34.5 (assault with a firearm on a law enforcement, probation, or parole officer, or on a member of the North Carolina National Guard, or on a person employed at a State or local detention facility) as follows. Increases the punishment so that any person who commits an assault with a firearm upon the listed government employees while the employee is performing their duties is guilty of a Class B1 felony (was, Class D felony). Adds emergency medical technicians or other emergency health care providers, medical responders, firefighters, and telecommunicators employed by a law enforcement agency as types of government employees whose assault by a firearm would trigger liability under the statute. Specifies that GS 14-34.6 applies to assaults with use of a firearm to any person not already covered under GS 14-34.5. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.