RALEIGH, N.C.  – North Carolina lawmakers passed nearly 500 new laws before shutting down for this year, but plenty of updates and reforms were left pending until next year.

Terry Shook of Claremont said Thursday he wants the General Assembly to look again next year at legislation clarifying state law on using deadly force in self-defense. Lawmakers returning to Raleigh next May will consider whether illegal and forced entry into a home allows the resident to shoot without fear of potential prosecution.

State Sen. John Snow said the deadly force legislation was overwhelmed by all the time lawmakers spent finding a compromise on how much to raise taxes and which programs to cut. The Cherokee County Democrat said legislators will try to pass it next year.