New Hampshire Senate Votes to Override Veto on Self-Defense Bill

Senate Bill 88 is Now Headed to the State House

Today, the state Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 88 by a 17 to 7 vote.  SB 88 must now pass in the state House of Representatives by a two-thirds vote for this bill to become law.

Senate Bill 88 would restore the right of self-defense in New Hampshire and establish that New Hampshirites have the right to defend themselves from assault wherever they have a legal right to be when they believe there is an imminent threat to their life and well being.  Since SB 88 passed in the state Senate by a 19 to 5 vote on June 22, two Senators, Bob Odell (R-8) and Nancy Stiles (R-24), switched their votes and voted against the veto override despite voting originally for SB 88.

On July 13, Governor John Lynch vetoed this common-sense legislation that 28 states across the country have enacted with broad bipartisan support. 

SB 88 could be brought up as early as next week in the state House.  Please contact your state Representative(s) and urge him or her to override the Governor’s veto on SB 88.  Contact information for your state Representative(s) can be found here.