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Bill to eliminate concealed carry permit up for House vote

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A bill to eliminate the permit requirement in order to carry a concealed firearm, SB 12, is up for a vote in the New Hampshire House on February 9th. The bill already passed the Senate.

Currently, firearms owners in New Hampshire who wish to concealed carry their weapons must apply for a permit from their local police department. Read the rules here. The permit costs $10 and is valid for 4 years. There is some debate over the degree of discretion law enforcement officials may legally exercise in determining who qualifies to carry concealed.

Supporters of repealing the permit requirement argue that it constitutes an infringement of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. They express concerns about the power of local police to deny permits to citizens arbitrarily, and note that a permit requirement is unlikely to dissuade law-breakers from carrying concealed firearms.

Opponents counter that the current system is working fine, and that the permit requirement constitutes a sensible “check” against allowing potentially dangerous individuals to carry concealed weapons.

Then-Gov. Maggie Hassan vetoed a similar bill last year. Gov. Chris Sununu has already expressed support for SB 12, and is likely to approve the bill if it passes the House.

Do you support repealing New Hampshire’s concealed carry permit requirement? Comment below to join the discussion on Facebook. 

 

Comments

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Curtis

I think people should be allowed to carry concealed without a permit or anything. I think it should be the same thing as open carry. I think as long as you have no felonies or a convicted felon you should be able to carry a pistol concealed without a permit or license. It's our right as an American citizen to have the right to bare arms. And basically I don't think a permit or license should be in the way of us doing so as American citizens.

Donald

Carry without permit could be a good idea providing that if stopped by law enforcement for any reason you immediately alert them that you are carrying so that they are aware and can carry out their duties without threat.

Dennis

It is not a "permit" – it is a license in New Hampshire. Nobody was asking for permission, but the state does require a license to carry concealed at this time.

And yes, it should be repealed And Replaced by Constitutional Carry, As Provided for in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

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