Special to IFN

The N.C. House of Representatives will consider approval of the Political Terrorism Prevention Act, legislation to protect free speech and civil discourse by imposing tough penalties for politically motivated violence.

The legislation was introduced is in response to the rise in politically driven attacks nationwide—including the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk—and affirms North Carolina’s commitment to safeguarding open debate and peaceful political engagement.

“Charlie Kirk was murdered because of his beliefs,” House Majority Leader Brenden Jones said. “That is political terrorism in its rawest form. This law makes crystal clear: if you target someone because of their politics in our state, we will throw the book at you and then some.”

Key provisions include:

♦ Defining Politically Motivated Violence: Any criminal offense committed against an individual because of their political beliefs, affiliations, candidacy, voting history, advocacy, or lawful political expression.

♦ Charlie Kirk Clause: Politically motivated murder can serve as an aggravating factor in death penalty proceedings.

Sentence Enhancements:

♦ Makes offenders ineligible for parole, early release, or sentence reduction.

♦ Elevates politically motivated felonies by one class level.

♦ Politically motivated Class A felonies that are not otherwise capital offenses become death-eligible.

Procedural Safeguards:

♦ Requires indictments to allege political motivation as a special sentencing factor.

♦ Allows political motivation to be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence, including statements, manifestos, affiliations, or targeting patterns.

♦ Adds a new structured sentencing aggravating factor for politically motivated violence.

♦ Requires political motivation to be included in the notice of intent to seek the death penalty and allows it to be considered at sentencing, even if the defendant pleads guilty.

Enhanced Prosecution & Victim Rights:

♦ District attorneys must notify the Attorney General in any case involving political motivation.
♦ Authorizes the Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor upon request.
♦ Grants victims and next of kin the right to deliver impact statements at any stage of proceedings.