Updates for the Week of March 8th - March 14th
Update on NH State Legislature
HB 1608 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Makes it a misdemeanor to manufacture, possess, transfer, offer for sale, purchase, receive, or import a large capacity ammunition feeding device. There are some exceptions, for example to allow owners to keep items they already own.
Bill Sponsor: Casey M. Conley
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1115 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Under current state law, it is a violation to discharge a firearm within the "compact" part of a town, which includes any six or more residences within 300 feet of each other, non-residential buildings, and outdoor public gathering spaces, plus a 300 foot perimeter around any buildings. This bill amends the definition of compact to include other property designated "for public recreational use." The bill also expands the perimeter around non-residential buildings from 300 to 900 feet.
Bill Sponsor: David Doherty
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1285 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Makes it a misdemeanor to carry a firearm on school property. There are exceptions for adults picking up and dropping off students (so long as the firearm stays in the vehicle), law enforcement officers and members of the military, and anyone authorized by the school board. The school board may only give permission for a person to carry a firearm after holding a public hearing.
Bill Sponsor: Mary Heath
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1101 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Establishes a three day waiting period for the delivery of a firearm. There are some exceptions for rifle or shotgun purchases by hunters, law enforcement officers, and members of the armed forces. The House amended the bill to also waive the waiting period for a person who fears for their personal safety and contacts law enforcement or obtains a restraining order.
Bill Sponsor: Katherine D. Rogers
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1379 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks. Also requires private sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearm dealer, if it's not absolutely clear that both the owner and the recipient are allowed to own guns.
Bill Sponsor: Katherine D. Rogers
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
SB 719 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH Senate
Description: Requires a person who owns a firearm that is lost or stolen, or an individual who discovers an abandoned firearm, to report it to local law enforcement or state police within 72 hours. The bill carries a violation or misdemeanor penalty, depending on the circumstances.
Bill Sponsor: David Watters
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Tue, 02/04/2020
Next Voting Date: Thu, 03/05/2020
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
SB 624 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH Senate
Description: Permits a school to establish an armed school marshal program. This bill also requires the Police Standards and Training Council to develop a curriculum for training school marshals.
Bill Sponsor: Jon Morgan
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
SB 469 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH Senate
Description: Modifies the law governing shooting ranges, so that shooting ranges must follow newly adopted noise ordinances.
Bill Sponsor: Jeanne Dietsch
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Thu, 01/23/2020
Next Voting Date: Thu, 03/05/2020
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1509 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Establishes a procedure for issuing an emergency threat protection order against an individual at a post secondary educational institution, who poses an immediate risk of harm to themself or others. Law enforcement could petition the courts for an emergency threat protection order. The order would allow law enforcement to confiscate firearms.
Bill Sponsor: David Luneau
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Wed, 02/05/2020
Next Voting Date: Wed, 02/19/2020
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1374 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Repeals the state law that prohibits any state program that destroys voluntarily surrendered firearms.
Bill Sponsor: Robert "Renny" Cushing
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1350 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Requires all firearms sold in New Hampshire to be accompanied by an approved safety device, such as a trigger lock or lockbox.
Bill Sponsor: David Meuse
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1529 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Prohibits any law enforcement agency from releasing the name, image, or other information about a mass murder suspect for at least 45 days unless the Attorney General determines it is necessary for public safety.
Bill Sponsor: Gary Hopper
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Wed, 01/29/2020
Next Voting Date: Wed, 02/19/2020
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1349 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Establishes a committee to study firearms incidents involving children with access to unsecured firearms.
Bill Sponsor: David Meuse
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1337 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Requires schools to give 2 weeks notice to parents before any armed assailant drill other than a discussion-based drill. This bill then gives parents the right to opt his or her child out of participation in the drill.
Bill Sponsor: Timothy Horrigan
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
HB 1143 (2020) House/Senate Bill: NH House
Description: Repeals limited liability for manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition.
Bill Sponsor: Andrew Bouldin
Bill Co Sponsor: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Hearing Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Next Voting Date: Click the "Link to Full Bill" for information
Link to Full Bill: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx
Resources for NH: https://www.nh.gov/almanac/bills.htm *article on how a bill becomes a law https://www.citizenscount.org/
Update on VT Legislature:
H.610 An act relating to firearms and domestic violence
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Martin LaLondeHouse Committee on Judiciary1/7/2020 - Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Judiciary
Sponsor(s) Rep. Maxine Grad Rep. Martin LaLonde
LocationHouse Committee on JudiciaryLast Recorded ActionHouse 1/7/2020 - Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Judiciary
Bill/Resolution Text: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/BILLS/H-0610/H-0610%20As%20Introdu ced.pdf
The bill, H.610, would mandate the confiscation of firearms from alleged domestic abusers after a court issues a restraining order. The bill would also close the “Charleston loophole,” which has allowed some people to obtain firearms before a background check is complete.
S.321 An act relating to miscellaneous fish and wildlife issues
Sen. Alice NitkaSenate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy3/11/2020 - On request of Senator(s) Nitka, the bill was withdrawn pursuant to Senate Rule 50
Sponsor(s) Sen. Alice Nitka
LocationSenate Committee on Natural Resources and EnergyLast Recorded ActionSenate 3/11/2020 - On request of Senator(s) Nitka, the bill was withdrawn pursuant to Senate Rule 50
Bill/Resolution Text: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2020/Docs/BILLS/S-0321/S-0321%20As%20Introduc ed.pdf
Resources for VT:
Bills & Resolutions - Vermont https://legislature.vermont.gov
H.3 An act relating to relief from abuse orders and relinquishment of firearms and other 0 dangerous or deadly weapons
H.1 An act relating to establishing a waiting period for firearms sales 59
H.2 An act relating to negligent storage of firearms 03
H.3 An act relating to safe storage of firearms 29
H.6 An act relating to firearm suspicious activity reporting 00
H.6 An act relating to firearms and domestic violence 10
H.8 An act relating to possession of firearms by persons convicted of a violent crime 38
H.8 An act relating to allowing probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty 44
S.2 An act relating to the transfer by will of large capacity ammunition feeding devices
S.3 An act relating to amending the definition of large capacity ammunition feeding devices
S.1 An act relating to the transfer of large capacity ammunition feeding devices between 3 immediate family members
S.2 An act relating to firearms 2 S.2 An act relating to firearms and three-dimensional printers 6
S.1 An act relating to possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices by out-of-state 55 law enforcement officers
S.1 An act relating to firearms procedures 69
S.2 An act relating to a 48-hour waiting period for firearms transfers 58
S.2 An act relating to crimes and criminal procedures related to firearms 68
S.2 An act relating to allowing probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty 89
S.3 An act relating to prohibiting carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 29