New HampshireNew Hampshire bill would give the legislature sole authority over firearm and self-defense tool rules
As introduced, this New Hampshire bill would have given the General Court authority over rules on firearms, knives, Tasers, and other self-defense tools, and voided local firearm rules not authorized by state law; it died on the table.
What it does
The bill would put authority over rules for firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray, knives, and other self-defense tools with the General Court, to the extent consistent with federal law.
Towns and agencies could not regulate firearms, parts, ammunition, or supplies unless a state law allows it, though zoning of related businesses would stay allowed.
Local rules on these items not authorized by the bill would become void when it takes effect, and an aggrieved person could petition superior court.
Argument forOne statewide set of rules could give gun owners and sellers clear rules instead of different local rules in each town.
Argument againstVoiding local rules could remove towns' ability to respond to local concerns, and the court petition option could lead to lawsuits against towns.
More detail
The bill would replace "state" with "general court" in RSA 159:26, giving the General Court of New Hampshire authority and jurisdiction over rules on these items, to the extent consistent with federal law. The items include firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools. The authority covers sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, and taxation.
No ordinance, rule, or regulation of a political subdivision or agency could regulate firearms, firearm components, ammunition, or firearms supplies, except as a state statute specifically provides. Towns could still adopt zoning ordinances for businesses that sell these items in the same way as for other businesses, and could take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.
When the section takes effect, municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I on these items would be null and void. Any person aggrieved by a violation could petition the superior court under RSA 91-A:7 and seek remedies under RSA 91-A:8. This covers local rules on firearms, firearm components, ammunition, supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools. The chapter's provisions are severable if one is held invalid. The act would take effect upon its passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Died on table
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 19Died on Table, Session ended 08/19/2026 HJ 16Died on table
- Jun 4Lay HB609 on Table (Rep. Wilhelm): MA RC 182-160 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 29Minor
- Vote recorded Table. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Conference Committee Report. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2114c; RC 15Y-8N, Adopted; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2114c; 06/04/2026
- May 28Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 231
- May 27Conferee Change; Senator Lang Replaces Senator Gannon; SJ 14
- May 27Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 11:00 am GP 234
- May 21Conferee Change: Rep. Layon Replaces Rep. Osborne 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 32
- May 20President Appoints: Senators Abbas, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 20Sen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 14Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Paquette, Osborne 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
- May 14House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1987s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
- May 14Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1987s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12Passed Senate
- May 14Sen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1987s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 14Committee Amendment # 2026-1917s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 12Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1917s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18AMinor
- Mar 9Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 9
- Jan 30Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3Minor
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0019h: MA RC 193-151 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 92Passed House
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Floor Amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 7FLAM # 2026-0019h (Rep. Farrington): AA RC 193-152 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 87
- 2025
- Nov 13Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Nov 13Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 10/22/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 51 P. 21Minor
- Oct 3==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session: 10/22/2025 10:00 am GP 230
- Oct 3==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session: 10/22/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
- Mar 19Retained in Committee
- Mar 10Executive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
- Mar 6==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
- Jan 22Public Hearing: 01/30/2025 04:00 pm LOB 202-204
- Jan 16Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 18Introduced
Gun PolicyGovernment & Ethics