Eleanor Finch
New Hampshire is a shall-issue state, meaning that residents can apply to their local law enforcement office for a Pistol/Revolver License, while non-residents can apply to the State Department of Justice. However, New Hampshire is also a permitless carry state, meaning that anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. In 2017, New Hampshire repealed its law requiring people carrying hidden, loaded guns in public to have a license. The state's weak gun laws have been criticised, with New Hampshire being labelled a national failure in terms of gun law strength.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permitless carry | Yes |
| Required age to carry a firearm | 18 years |
| Need for firearms safety training | No |
| Need for background check | No |
| Need for registration of firearm | No |
| Concealed carry allowed | Yes |
| Open carry allowed | Yes |
| Pistol/Revolver License required | No |
| Reciprocity agreements with other states | Yes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
New Hampshire is a permitless carry state
New Hampshire is a "shall-issue", permitless carry state. In 2017, the state repealed its law requiring people to have a license to carry hidden, loaded guns in public. This means that anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on their person without a license or permit. However, there are some restrictions on who can legally possess a firearm. For example, federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm by anyone who "has been adjudicated as mentally defective or has been committed to any mental institution". Additionally, New Hampshire law bars convicted felons and people subject to restraining orders from possessing guns.
While New Hampshire does not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm, residents and non-residents may still obtain a Pistol/Revolver License (PRL) for reciprocity purposes. This is useful because some states that require concealed carry permits will honor those from other states. To obtain a PRL, residents apply to the local law enforcement office, while non-residents apply to the State Department of Justice. No fingerprinting or photographs are required for a PRL.
New Hampshire also has some other gun laws in place. For example, firearms dealers must obtain a license from their city or town if they intend to sell handguns, and gun buyers must wait a prescribed time before completing a purchase. Additionally, New Hampshire regulates ghost gun parts and requires new handgun models to have childproofing features and microstamping technology.
Iowa's Constitutional Carry Law: What's the Latest?
You may want to see also
No safety training is required to carry a firearm
In the United States, there is no federal law requiring private citizens to undergo safety training before carrying a firearm. While some states have implemented laws mandating safety training for gun purchasers or those seeking concealed-carry permits, New Hampshire is not one of them.
New Hampshire is a "shall-issue, permitless carry" state, which means that residents can carry a concealed firearm without obtaining a license or permit. Specifically, New Hampshire law does not require applicants for a firearm license to undergo firearms safety training or demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety. This stands in contrast to other states that have implemented safety training requirements for gun owners.
The lack of mandatory safety training in New Hampshire is notable, especially considering the potential risks associated with firearm use. Research suggests that safety training can play a crucial role in ensuring gun owners are educated on responsible practices for handling, using, storing, and transporting their weapons. This includes live-fire training, which allows individuals to gain practical experience in using firearms safely.
While New Hampshire does not mandate safety training for firearm carriers, the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) recommends that individuals obtain comprehensive training to ensure they are responsibly armed. This recommendation underscores the importance of safety training, even in the absence of legal requirements.
The issue of safety training for firearm carriers is a complex and multifaceted one. While some advocates argue that mandatory safety training ensures a minimum level of competency and reduces the risk of accidental shootings, others believe that imposing training requirements may infringe on Second Amendment rights. Ultimately, the decision to implement safety training requirements falls to individual states, and New Hampshire has opted to prioritize permitless carry over mandatory safety training for gun owners.
Constitutional Carry: Kentucky Governor's Fight Against Gun Rights
You may want to see also
There is no minimum age to carry a firearm
New Hampshire is a
In addition, New Hampshire law states that only a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian can transfer a gun to someone under 18. This means that, while there is no minimum age to possess a firearm, there are restrictions in place that limit minors' access to guns.
Firearms dealers in New Hampshire must obtain a license from their city or town if they intend to sell handguns. Private individuals may sell guns to other New Hampshire residents without a license, as long as the seller personally knows the buyer and has no reason to believe the person is prohibited from possessing a gun, or the buyer has a license to carry in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire does not require firearms safety training or a demonstration of knowledge of firearms safety to obtain a license to carry. However, the USCCA recommends that anyone who chooses to carry a concealed firearm obtain as much training as possible to be a responsibly armed American.
Maryland's Constitutional Carry: What's the Law?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
New Hampshire has weak gun laws
New Hampshire has some of the weakest gun laws in the United States. The state has ""permitless carry", meaning anyone over the age of 18 can carry a concealed firearm without a license, as long as they are not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or New Hampshire law. There is no federal minimum age to carry a firearm, though the minimum age to purchase a firearm is 18. New Hampshire does not require applicants for a firearm license to undergo firearms safety training or demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety. There is no permit, background check, or firearms registration required to buy a handgun from a private individual.
New Hampshire is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that local law enforcement must issue a license to carry a loaded handgun if "it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to the applicant's person or property, or has any proper purpose". Hunting, target shooting, and self-defense are all considered proper purposes. No photograph or fingerprint is required as a basis to grant, deny, or renew a license, unless requested by the applicant. Non-residents may submit applications to the division of state police.
In 2017, New Hampshire repealed its law requiring people carrying hidden, loaded guns in public to have a license. The state also repealed the requirement that the applicant is a suitable person to be licensed. New Hampshire has no laws restricting the age at which a person may possess and carry firearms. The director of the division of state police is required to enter into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions to recognize New Hampshire's concealed carry permits.
While New Hampshire's gun laws may be considered weak compared to other states, it is important to note that the state does have some regulations in place regarding firearms. For example, New Hampshire residents must still apply for a Pistol/Revolver License (PRL) from their local law enforcement office, and non-residents must apply to the State Department of Justice. Additionally, the USCCA recommends that anyone who chooses to carry a concealed firearm obtain as much training as possible to be a responsibly armed American.
Holcomb's Veto: Impact on Indiana's Constitutional Carry Law
You may want to see also
Concealed carry permits are still issued for reciprocity purposes
New Hampshire is a "shall-issue, permitless carry" state. This means that, in general, residents do not need a license to carry a firearm. However, concealed carry permits are still issued for reciprocity purposes. New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions, which recognise the state's concealed carry permits. This allows New Hampshire residents with a permit to carry a concealed firearm in certain other states.
In 2017, New Hampshire repealed its law requiring people to have a license to carry a hidden, loaded gun in public. Now, anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. There is no minimum age to carry a firearm in New Hampshire, but federal law prohibits minors from possessing handguns. Only a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian can transfer a gun to someone under 18.
Despite the lack of a legal requirement, some residents may still choose to obtain a license to carry a firearm. New Hampshire law states that local law enforcement "shall" issue a license to carry a loaded handgun if "it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to the applicant's person or property or has any proper purpose". Hunting, target shooting, and self-defence are all considered proper purposes.
New Hampshire's concealed carry permits are recognised in certain other states with reciprocity agreements. This allows residents with a permit to carry a concealed firearm when travelling to these states. For example, New Hampshire residents with a permit can carry a concealed defensive firearm in the state of Oklahoma without any type of permit. However, it is important to check the laws of the state you are visiting, as firearms must be carried in accordance with local laws.
Diplomacy's Face: Cabinet's Key Role in Foreign Affairs
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, New Hampshire is a constitutional carry state.
No, New Hampshire is a permitless carry state. Anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on their person without a license or permit.
No, there is no background check required to buy a gun in New Hampshire.
No, you do not need to register your gun in New Hampshire.
Yes, non-residents may carry a concealed firearm in New Hampshire without a license, provided they are not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or New Hampshire law.
![Byrna SD [Self Defense] Kinetic Launcher Ultimate Bundle - Non Lethal Kinetic Projectile Launcher, Home & Personal Defense | Proudly Assembled in The USA](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wu-phEIPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
