Simone Lawson
On February 22, 2017, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed Senate Bill 12, a permitless or Constitutional Carry bill, into law. The bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a concealed gun and is a significant win for gun rights activists in the state. Governor Sununu, a Republican, has stated that the bill is about safety and making sure that our laws on our books are keeping people safe while remaining true to the 'live free or die' spirit that makes New Hampshire great. However, the bill has faced opposition from those who argue that it will make the state less safe and that it gives police less discretion to deny licenses to unsuitable individuals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Bill | Senate Bill 12, Constitutional Carry legislation |
| Date | 22 February 2017 |
| Signed by | Governor Chris Sununu |
| State | New Hampshire |
| Previous attempts | Vetoed twice by former Governor Maggie Hassan |
| Supporters | Gun rights backers, Republican Rep. John Burt, NRA lobbyist John Hohenwarter |
| Opposition | New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, Deidre Reynolds (Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America), Chairman Ray Buckley (head of the state Democratic Party) |
| Key points | No longer requires a license to carry a loaded gun under a jacket or in a purse in New Hampshire, aligns with neighbouring states Vermont and Maine |
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What You'll Learn
Governor Chris Sununu signs SB12 into law
On February 22, 2017, Republican Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed SB12, the "permitless" or Constitutional Carry bill, into law. This bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a loaded gun under a jacket or in a purse, purse, car, or briefcase.
Governor Sununu, in a statement, said that "SB 12 ensures New Hampshire citizens are guaranteed the fundamental right to carry a firearm in defense of themselves and their families, as prescribed by Article 2a of our state constitution." He added that the legislation "aligns our concealed carry laws with that of our neighboring states of Vermont and Maine and states across the country."
The bill passed with a solid margin in the Senate (13-10) and the House (200-97). It was a commitment Governor Sununu made to the people of New Hampshire, and he expressed his pride in fulfilling that commitment.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) stated that New Hampshire became the 11th state that doesn't require a license or permit to carry a concealed weapon in most cases. Similar bills were vetoed twice by former Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan, who is now a US Senator.
Supporters of the bill see it as a victory for the Second Amendment and an affirmation of the right to self-defense without government interference. However, opponents, including the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, have raised concerns about public safety and the potential for dangerous people to obtain hidden guns.
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New Hampshire becomes the 11th 'constitutional carry' state
Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire has signed a bill into law repealing the license requirement to carry a concealed gun. This makes New Hampshire the 11th US state to permit what has become known as 'constitutional carry', or the ability of any lawful gun owner to carry a concealed weapon.
The bill, known as SB12, was signed into law by the Republican governor on Wednesday, 22 February 2017. It removes the requirement that people obtain a license from local officials to carry concealed, loaded guns.
Supporters of the bill say it restores gun owners' constitutional rights. Governor Sununu said: "This common sense legislation aligns our concealed carry laws with that of our neighbouring states of Vermont and Maine and states across the country. This is about safety. This is about making sure that the laws on our books are keeping people safe while remaining true to the Live Free or Die spirit that makes New Hampshire the great state that it is."
However, opponents, including the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, have criticised the bill, saying it will make the state less safe. They argue that the licensing process is a way to prevent bad actors from carrying concealed guns and gives needed discretion to chiefs. Deidre Reynolds, a New Hampshire volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said in a statement: "You have put politics over public safety, kowtowing to the extreme agenda of the national gun lobby. Abandoning critically important public safety standards is just wrong."
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Police chiefs raise concerns about public safety
On February 22, 2017, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed Senate Bill 12, a "permitless" or Constitutional carry bill, into law. The bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a concealed gun in the state.
The New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police has raised concerns about the bill, arguing that it could allow dangerous people to carry hidden guns. They worry that people under the age of 18 might legally carry rifles and shotguns concealed and that those with a history of misdemeanors would also be able to carry concealed weapons. Chief Andrew Shagoury, vice president of the association, expressed that they have "concerns [...] about the ramifications that could come out of this." Members of law enforcement have opposed the change, stating that the licensing process helps prevent bad actors from obtaining concealed guns and gives needed discretion to chiefs. Joseph Plaia, a Portsmouth police commissioner, commented that the bill will "eliminate the state’s longstanding permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands."
Supporters of stricter gun laws, such as Deidre Reynolds, a New Hampshire volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, have criticized Sununu for prioritizing politics over public safety. They argue that the bill weakens public safety and makes it more challenging for law enforcement to track guns that fall into the wrong hands.
However, backers of the bill have dismissed these concerns, claiming that police have unfairly denied people licenses. Republican Representative John Burt stated, "The Constitution is very clear, and the chiefs of police need to grow up." He added that the bill is a victory for Sununu among his conservative base, and gun activists are expected to strongly support him moving forward.
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Backers of the bill say police have been unfairly denying people licenses
On February 23, 2017, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu signed the so-called constitutional carry bill into law, which means that people in New Hampshire no longer need a license to carry a concealed gun. This bill removes the requirement that people obtain a license from local officials to carry concealed weapons.
Backers of the bill have stated that police have been unfairly denying people licenses. They argue that the Constitution is clear on this matter, and that the police chiefs need to accept this. Republican Rep. John Burt commented that:
> "That's why they're mad: They can't abuse the public anymore."
Supporters of the bill also claim that it restores gun owners' constitutional rights.
However, the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police has raised concerns that taking away their discretion could allow dangerous people to carry hidden guns. There is no statewide record of how many people are denied concealed carry licenses each year, but police chiefs have testified that they reject very few. Joseph Plaia, a Portsmouth police commissioner, stated that:
> "This bill will eliminate the state’s longstanding permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands."
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Sununu's commitment to gun rights
Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire has demonstrated a strong commitment to gun rights by signing the Constitutional Carry legislation, also known as Senate Bill 12 (SB12), into law. This bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a concealed firearm, aligning New Hampshire with neighbouring states like Vermont and Maine, which have similar laws.
Sununu's support for the bill was evident during the signing ceremony, where he stated that it was about "safety" and ensuring that the state's laws "are keeping people safe while remaining true to the Live Free or Die spirit that makes New Hampshire the great state that it is." He emphasised that the legislation was "common sense," aiming to protect the fundamental right of citizens to carry a firearm for self-defence and uphold the Second Amendment.
The governor's commitment to gun rights was further highlighted by his statement on Facebook, where he acknowledged that signing SB12 was a "commitment I made to the people of New Hampshire," indicating his dedication to fulfilling the promises made to his constituents. This move was particularly significant as similar bills had been vetoed by former Democratic governors, including Maggie Hassan, showcasing Sununu's determination to uphold gun rights in the state.
The signing of the Constitutional Carry bill was met with celebration by gun rights activists and supporters, who viewed it as a victory for freedom and a restoration of their constitutional rights. They believed that the bill would ensure their safety and empower law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families. The National Rifle Association (NRA) also supported this legislation, and it marked a significant win for Sununu among his conservative base.
However, Sununu's decision to sign the bill was not without controversy. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, raised concerns about public safety, arguing that removing the licensing requirement could allow dangerous individuals to carry concealed weapons. They worried that it would make it harder for law enforcement to track guns and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Despite these objections, Sununu remained steadfast in his commitment to gun rights, prioritising the freedoms enshrined in the Second Amendment and the values cherished by the people of New Hampshire.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Chris Sununu signed the so-called constitutional carry into law on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.
The law removes the requirement for a license from local officials to carry a loaded, concealed gun in New Hampshire.
The signing was celebrated by gun rights backers and Republicans. However, it was criticized by those who believed it would make New Hampshire less safe and that it would allow dangerous people to carry hidden guns.
