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North Carolina Bill Labels Abortion Murder, Allows Deadly Force

6/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The bill would permit deadly force against a woman believed to be seeking an abortion.
Rep. Keith Kidwell filed North Carolina House Bill 1232, labeling abortion first-degree murder and allowing deadly force, placing it before House Rules Committee.
The Guttmacher Institute and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee called the bill extreme and urged voters to reject it.
Rep. Ben Moss withdrew sponsorship, saying the language was misunderstood while he remains pro-life.

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Story summary

The bill would permit deadly force against a woman believed to be seeking an abortion.
Rep. Keith Kidwell filed North Carolina House Bill 1232, labeling abortion first-degree murder and allowing deadly force, placing it before House Rules Committee.
The Guttmacher Institute and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee called the bill extreme and urged voters to reject it.
Rep. Ben Moss withdrew sponsorship, saying the language was misunderstood while he remains pro-life.