Yesterday, May 5, the New Hampshire Senate approved legislation by a vote of 14-10 to eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit in order to lawfully carry concealed. House Bill 582 will now go to Governor Maggie Hassan for final consideration. Last year, Governor Hassan vetoed similar legislation, Senate Bill 116, after it had passed the New Hampshire General Court. Please contact Governor Hassan and politely urge her to do what’s right this time and sign HB 582 into law. Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact Governor Hassan!
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 would be able to carry their firearms without a required permit in the state of New Hampshire! Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact Governor Maggie Hassan and urge her to sign HB 582 into law.
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.