New Hampshire: Senate to Vote on Constitutional/Permitless Carry Legislation

Several months ago, House Bill 582 passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives and is now before the Senate for consideration.  Please contact your state Senator and politely urge them to support HB 582.  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Senator!

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.

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.

With your help, law abiding gun owners can carry their firearms without a required permit in the state of New Hampshire!  Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator in support of HB 582.

Also, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing for Senate Bill 336 tomorrow, April 19, at 10a.m. in LOB 204.

Over the last few years, an increasing number of law-abiding gun owners in New Hampshire have been denied the right to carry a concealed firearm outside of their home for subjective reasons.  SB 336, sponsored by Senator Sam Cataldo (R-Farmington), makes necessary revisions to New Hampshire’s current statute by amending the “suitable person” provision to clarify that any individual who is not prohibited from owning and possessing a firearm under federal or state law shall be issued a concealed carry license.  If an individual can lawfully own and possess a firearm, they should not be prohibited from exercising their fundamental right to self-defense outside of their home.

​Also, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills as they progress through the General Court of New Hampshire.