Last week, House Bill 582 passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives with a 206-146 vote. HB 582 will now go to the Senate for further consideration.
HB 582, sponsored by state Representative Guy Comtois (R), was introduced in 2015 and carried over to the 2016 legislative session. This bill would repeal the license requirement to carry a concealed pistol or revolver, unless a person is otherwise prohibited. For those who choose to obtain licenses, HB 582 would also increase the length of time in which a license is valid.
As previously reported, similar legislation, Senate Bill 116, passed the New Hampshire General Court in 2015 and was vetoed by Governor Maggie Hassan (D).
In New Hampshire, existing state law recognizes the right of any citizen who can legally own and possess a firearm to carry it openly, either loaded or unloaded, anywhere in the state not prohibited by law. However, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for protection in her purse, he or she would need a concealed carry handgun license. The proposed legislation would extend permitless open carry to permitless concealed carry, allowing law-abiding gun owners to protect themselves and their loved ones in the manner that best suits their needs.
Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill and others as the New Hampshire General Court’s 2016 legislative session progresses.
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