New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Self-Defense Bill

Yesterday, Governor John Lynch vetoed Senate Bill 88, an important self-defense reform bill.  This bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers, passing in the state House by a 283 to 89 vote and in the state Senate by a 19 to 5 vote.  Governor Lynch’s veto of SB 88 is a disappointment to gun owners and a disservice to all law-abiding citizens of the Granite State.

Introduced by state Senator David Boutin (R-16), SB 88 contains much-needed self-defense reform by restoring an individual’s right to self-defense in New Hampshire.  In the face of unlawful attack, law-abiding citizens should not be forced to retreat or run from a place they have a right to be and it is unreasonable that victims of crime should have to worry about being arrested or prosecuted if they are required to use force to defend themselves or their family.  Any victim should be able to presume that an unlawful attacker or forcible intruder has the intent to cause harm.  This measure would reinstate the law prior to the time when criminal-coddling judges and courts started putting the rights of criminals before the rights of the law-abiding.

A veto override of SB 88 is expected to take place when the General Court reconvenes in September.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you on any future actions concerning SB 88.