New Hampshire Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | True Reciprocity |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
There are no state licensing requirements for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Possession
There are no state licensing requirements for the possession of rifles, shotguns or handguns. It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony to own, possess or control any firearm. MORE |
Carry
New Hampshire is a permitless carry state, and New Hampshire Statute 159:6(III) provides that "The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver under this section or under any other provision of law shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one’s person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire." MORE |
Preemption
The state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. MORE |
Machine Guns
In the absence of any state law governing automatic weapons, federal law controls the registration and regulation of machine guns in New Hampshire. |
Antiques and Replicas
Antiques, defined as any handgun "utilizing an early type of ignition," such as flintlocks, percussion and pin fires, are exempt from the above regulations. No handgun which utilizes centerfire or rimfire cartridges will be considered an antique. |
Range Protection
No person who owns, operates, or uses a shooting range in this state shall be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution in any matter relating to noise or noise pollution... MORE |
Friday, June 25, 2021
Yesterday, the New Hampshire House and Senate held floor votes on the conference committee report for House Bill ...
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Tomorrow, the New Hampshire House and Senate will hold floor votes on the conference committee report for House ...
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Earlier today, the New Hampshire House held a floor vote on pro-gun legislation that fixes the handgun purchase ...
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Tomorrow, the New Hampshire House of Representatives will hold a floor vote on Senate Bill 141, legislation that ...
Friday, May 28, 2021
Yesterday, the New Hampshire Senate voted in favor of House Bill 334, which allows an individual to carry ...
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of House Bill 344, which allows an individual to carry ...
Friday, May 21, 2021
On Tuesday, May 25, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding an executive session where they may vote on ...
Friday, May 7, 2021
On Monday, May 10, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is expected to vote on NRA-backed ...
Thursday, April 22, 2021
On Wednesday, April 28, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on ...
Friday, April 9, 2021
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives held floor votes on pro-gun measures, House Bill 307 and House ...