Omar Bennett
On February 23, 2017, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed a bill into law that eliminated the license requirement to carry a concealed gun, making it the 11th state to permit constitutional carry. This move was criticized by the state Democratic Party and law enforcement officials, who argued that it would make it harder to keep track of guns and prevent local police from making important determinations about who should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. However, supporters of the bill, including Governor Sununu, claimed that it was a victory for freedom, safety, and the Live Free or Die spirit of the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governor | Chris Sununu |
| Date | February 22, 2017 |
| Bill | SB12 |
| Bill Name | Constitutional Carry Legislation |
| Bill Description | Eliminates the requirement for a license to carry a concealed gun |
| Bill Sponsor | Republican Party |
| Previous Vetoes | Yes, by Governor Lynch and twice by Governor Hassan |
| Supporters | Gun rights advocates, GOP leaders |
| Opponents | State Democratic Party, Portsmouth police commissioner Joseph Plaia |
| Status | Signed into law |
| Effective Date | Immediate |
| Impact | New Hampshire became the 11th "constitutional carry" state |
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What You'll Learn
Governor Chris Sununu signed the bill into law in 2017
Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill into law in 2017, making New Hampshire the 11th US state to permit "constitutional carry". This allows any lawful gun owner in the state to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill's supporters see it as a victory for freedom and liberty, aligning New Hampshire's laws with neighbouring states like Vermont and Maine.
The bill eliminates the state's longstanding permitting system, meaning non-residents no longer need a state-issued license to carry a concealed gun. This change brought New Hampshire into line with several other states, including Idaho, Mississippi, and Maine, which passed similar legislation in 2015.
Governor Sununu, who posed for pictures after signing the bill, said it was about "safety" and "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, the bill was criticised by some, including the state Democratic Party and a Portsmouth police commissioner, who argued that it would make it harder for law enforcement officials to keep track of guns and prevent them from making important determinations to keep guns out of dangerous hands.
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New Hampshire became the 11th 'constitutional carry' state
On February 22, 2017, New Hampshire became the 11th US state to pass a constitutional carry bill, also known as permitless carry. Governor Chris Sununu signed the bill into law, allowing any lawful gun owner to carry a concealed weapon without a state permit. This bill eliminated the state's longstanding permitting system, which required individuals to obtain a license from state police to carry a concealed weapon.
The bill's supporters cheered as Sununu signed the legislation, which they saw as a victory for freedom and liberty. Governor Sununu himself framed the bill as a matter of safety, stating that it would "make 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." He also noted that the bill aligns New Hampshire with neighboring states Vermont and Maine, which have similar laws in place.
However, the bill was not without its critics. The head of the state Democratic Party, Chairman Ray Buckley, argued that the bill would make it harder for law enforcement officials to keep track of guns and prevent them from making important determinations about who should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Joseph Plaia, a Portsmouth police commissioner, echoed similar concerns, stating that the bill would "prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands."
Despite the controversy, New Hampshire joined a growing number of states that have eliminated licensing requirements for carrying concealed weapons, including Idaho, Mississippi, and Maine.
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The bill eliminates the state's longstanding permitting system
Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed a bill into law on Wednesday, February 23, 2017, eliminating the state's longstanding permitting system. This bill, known as the Constitutional Carry bill, repeals the license requirement to carry a concealed gun, allowing any lawful gun owner to carry a concealed weapon. The law took effect immediately upon signing, making New Hampshire the 11th state to permit such legislation.
The bill's supporters view it as a victory for freedom and liberty, aligning the state's concealed carry laws with neighboring states like Vermont and Maine, as well as other states across the country. Governor Sununu emphasized that the bill is about safety and staying true to the "Live Free or Die" spirit of New Hampshire.
However, critics, including the state Democratic Party, argue that the bill makes it harder for law enforcement to keep track of guns and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Joseph Plaia, a Portsmouth police commissioner, expressed concern that the bill eliminates the local law enforcement's ability to make important determinations about who should be allowed to carry concealed weapons.
The passage of this bill by GOP legislatures is notable, as similar bills had been vetoed in the past. The bill's signing was met with cheers from dozens of supporters who crowded around Governor Sununu as he signed the bill into law.
The New Hampshire bill is part of a broader push for permitting reform, which aims to streamline and accelerate various processes, including those related to energy infrastructure and judicial review.
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Non-residents do not need a license to carry a concealed gun
On February 22, 2017, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed a bill into law repealing the requirement for a license to carry a concealed gun. This bill, known as SB12, eliminates the state's longstanding permitting system, preventing local law enforcement from making important determinations that could help keep guns out of dangerous hands. Non-residents are included in this bill and no longer need a license to carry a concealed gun in the state of New Hampshire.
Governor Sununu has stated that this bill is about safety and ensuring that the laws on the books keep people safe while remaining true to the "Live Free or Die" spirit of New Hampshire. This aligns New Hampshire with its neighboring states of Vermont and Maine, as well as several other states across the country that have recently eliminated licensing requirements, including Idaho and Mississippi.
While this bill has been celebrated by some as a victory for freedom and liberty, it has also faced criticism. Opponents argue that it makes it harder for law enforcement officials to keep track of guns and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
It is important to note that while a license is no longer required in New Hampshire, residents and non-residents who wish to obtain a license for reciprocity purposes in other states may still apply for one. Pistol/revolver licenses issued by New Hampshire are only valid within the state or within states that recognize non-resident pistol/revolver licenses. Therefore, it is crucial for license holders to be aware of the laws and requirements of other states when traveling with firearms.
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The bill faced criticism from the state Democratic Party
Joseph Plaia, a Portsmouth police commissioner and member of the Granite State Coalition for Common Sense, echoed similar concerns. He highlighted that the bill would eliminate the state's established permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making crucial determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands. The bill's critics argue that it undermines the ability of law enforcement to ensure gun safety and keep track of firearms, potentially leading to an increased risk of guns ending up in the wrong hands.
The Democratic Party's criticism of the bill stems from its perceived negative impact on gun control and public safety. By removing the licensing requirement, the bill makes it more challenging for law enforcement agencies to monitor and regulate the possession of concealed weapons. This, critics argue, could lead to an increase in gun-related crimes and accidental shootings, as well as make it harder to keep firearms away from individuals who should not have access to them.
The bill's supporters, however, argue that it is a victory for freedom and liberty, aligning New Hampshire with neighbouring states like Vermont and Maine, which have similar laws. Governor Sununu defended his decision by stating that the bill is about "safety" and staying true to the "Live Free or Die" spirit of New Hampshire. He emphasised that the legislation aligns the state's concealed carry laws with those of other states and ensures that the laws keep people safe while respecting the rights of lawful gun owners.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire signed the constitutional carry bill into law on February 23, 2017.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as SB12, states that any lawful gun owner in New Hampshire can carry a concealed weapon without a state permit. This means that the state's longstanding permitting system has been eliminated, and non-residents wishing to carry concealed guns in New Hampshire no longer need to obtain a license from state police.
The reaction to the bill being signed into law has been mixed. Supporters of the bill, including Governor Sununu, argue that it is a victory for freedom and liberty and that it aligns New Hampshire's concealed carry laws with those of neighboring states like Vermont and Maine. On the other hand, critics like the head of the state Democratic Party, Chairman Ray Buckley, argue that the bill makes it harder for law enforcement officials to keep track of guns and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
