New Polling Shows 73 Percent of Granite Staters Support Existing Concealed Carry Permit System; Gun Violence Survivors, Moms Met with Governor Hassan Today Ahead of House Passage of SB 116 To Discuss Their Opposition to the Legislation
Concord, NH — The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today condemns the legislature for passing SB 116, legislation that repeals the permit requirement for carrying concealed, loaded handguns in public in the state, and applauds Governor Maggie Hassan for declaring that she will veto this legislation when it comes to her desk. Members of New Hampshire Moms Demand Action met with Governor Hassan before today’s vote to discuss their opposition to SB 116 and delivered hundreds of postcards from Granite Staters asking the governor to veto this dangerous legislation.
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and New Hampshire Moms also released new polling today (available here) that shows 73 percent of likely New Hampshire voters support the existing concealed carry permit system.
In her statement today on SB 116 (available here), Governor Hassan stated, “New Hampshire’s current concealed carry permitting law has worked well for nearly a century – ensuring the Second Amendment rights of our citizens while helping to keep the Granite State one of the safest states in the nation… I intend to veto this measure if it passes.”
“As a survivor of gun violence, a mom, and a resident of New Hampshire who cares deeply about reducing gun violence in our state, I was honored to stand alongside New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan today as she pledged to veto SB 116, the dangerous permitless carry bill,” said Clai Lasher-Sommers of Westmoreland, a volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety. “We currently have in place a line of defenses that helps ensure dangerous people are not carrying guns on New Hampshire streets. Governor Hassan’s leadership in defeating SB 116 ensures that these basic safety standards and permitting system stay in place, and helps protect New Hampshire residents from gun violence.”
“The legislature sided with the interests of the gun lobby today – but thankfully, Governor Hassan is standing with New Hampshire moms and families – and the 73 percent of Granite Staters who support the existing concealed carry permit system,” said Amy Moore of Concord, a volunteer leader with New Hampshire Moms Demand Action, which has more than 16,000 supporters in the state. “We are grateful to have her leadership in maintaining the sensible public safety measures that will keep our communities safer from gun violence.”
Under current law, a person must have a concealed handgun permit to carry a loaded handgun in public. New Hampshire is one of 30 states that give local police departments or other permit issuers the authority to deny a permit when there is reason to believe a person is a danger to the community. SB 116 jeopardizes public safety by repealing the permit requirement and make New Hampshire one of only a handful of states without common-sense laws that stop dangerous people from carrying hidden, loaded guns. It would abandon our core public safety standards and prevent law enforcement from keeping armed people with violent criminal histories off the streets.
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million supporters and more than 40,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and help save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand
