Bill Would Allow Individuals Without Permits to Carry Loaded, Hidden Guns in Public
CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today denounced state senators for passing House Bill 582, legislation that would make it easier for dangerous people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public without a permit. The legislation would roll back longstanding laws that require those carrying concealed weapons to first obtain a permit. It would also eliminate the ability of local law enforcement to stop people who pose a danger to public safety from carrying. Governor Hassan vetoed nearly identical legislation last year.
STATEMENT FROM DEIDRE REYNOLDS, VOLUNTEER WITH THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“I’m disappointed in legislators for not defeating this dangerous legislation. Allowing potentially dangerous people to carry loaded, hidden weapons in public without a permit simply defies common sense. If this bill becomes law, local law enforcement agencies would completely lose the ability to deny permits to dangerous people. Abandoning critically important public safety standards is just wrong.”
Under current law, a person must have a concealed handgun permit to carry a loaded handgun in public. New Hampshire is among the majority of 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. HB 582 would also repeal the permit requirement and make New Hampshire one of just a small handful of states without basic permitting laws. The bill passed out of the Senate by a margin of 14-10 and now moves to the Finance Committee.