| NHFC Legislative Activity Report, 26 January 2022: No action required on your part. Below is a brief summary of currently proposed legislation that we are tracking for you. These are for your awareness only, and no action is requested of you at this time. All of the below seven bills were heard before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee today, January 26th. The great news is that several of the anti-gun bills were voted Inexpedient to Legislate which will make killing them on the floor that much easier. We trust you will find this information helpful in keeping you informed. HB 1668 (by the infamous anti-gun Rep. Katherine Rogers, D) This bill would require people wishing to privately buy or sell a firearm to ensure that the person on the other end of the transaction is not a prior felon. Naturally, the only way to do this with surety is to do a background check, which is impossible for individuals, and would thus compel you to transact a sale through a licensed firearms dealer. This places a chilling effect on private firearms sales, thus constraining your Second Amendment rights. NHFC supports the Committee Report of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1668. HB 1310 (by Rep. Kevin Verville, R) This bill would add a provision to current statute making it a violation if a hunter discharges a firearm towards a building, livestock or pets without an owner’s permission. Proposed penalties include loss of your hunting license for a year or even for life. This bill would create an environment whereby you could be harassed by those who wish to restrict your Second Amendment rights by leveling exaggerated or false accusations at you. NHFC supports the Committee Report of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1310. HB 1151-FN (by Rep. David Meuse, D and seven other Democrats) This proposed piece of legislation would make it a misdemeanor for a person to display on public property any deadly weapon at parades, funerals, vigils, rallies and demonstrations. While it exempts military-style honor guards at funerals as well as the display of weapons in gun racks on trucks, its provisions are so loose and broad as to prohibit weapons carried or driven by Veterans groups in parades. It could also be used to selectively harass you while attending such events merely on the accusation of an unknown person who believes you may have a weapon on you and that you allegedly brandished it. NHFC supports the Committee Report of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1151. HB 1096-FN (by Rep. David Meuse and seven other Democrats; mix from 1151-FN) This proposed legislation would essentially create so-called “gun free zones” at polling locations. Not only would it make illegal anyone open carrying a firearm within 100 feet of such polling sites, but even “display” of weapons would be illegal. As “display” is not defined, this proposal could easily be construed to prevent those seeking elective office from having a photograph on a campaign literature showing them with a firearm as part of their support for your Second Amendment rights. Much like HB 1151, noted above, it would create an environment where you could be harassed simply because you may have a firearm with you, and though normally concealed, somebody decided to accuse you of “displaying” your firearm. It would also violate our provisions of open carry. NHFC supports the Committee Report of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1096-FN. HB 1636 (by Rep. John Burt and 12 other Republicans) This bill would expand our current Constitutional Carry provisions to allow you to carry a loaded revolver while operating an Off Highway Recreational Vehicle (OHRV). Current law does not allow riders to carry a concealed and loaded firearm, and so this bill expands your Second Amendment rights in line with our Constitutional Carry provisions to allow you to carry a loaded pistol or revolver without a license. NHFC enthusiastically supports the Committee Report of Ought to Pass on HB 1636. HB 1178 (by Rep. John Burt and 11 other Republicans) This bill calls for the non-enforcement of Federal statutes, regulations and Executive Orders regarding firearms and knives when they contradict the laws of New Hampshire. NHFC supports the intent of this proposal, but believes it should be amended so as to avoid damaging your Second Amendment rights by the non-enforcement of Federally enacted laws and regulations that actually support those rights against local ordinances that may restrict them. Currently, HB 1178 is still in Committee pending recommendations. We will keep you informed when its status changes. HB 1281-FN (by Rep. Terry Roy, R) This bill would allow individuals subject to protective court orders to have their firearms retained by another individual for storage, rather than leaving them in the hands of governmental authorities. It would allow you, if subjected to such an order, to still retain the rights to your property and firearms, making it easier to have them returned to you once a protective order is lifted. There were serious drafting issues with the last sentence. We hope that this can be corrected on the House floor with a floor amendment. NHFC opposes the Committee Report for Interim Study of HB 1281-FN. Unfortunately, the Committee voted to Interim Study this proposed legislation. NHFC believes that a portion of this legislation should pass this year, and that it is not necessary to “study it” into the next legislative session. CALL WRITE ATTENDBECOME AN ACTIVIST FOR THE 2ND AMENDMENTNO COMPROMISE |
For Liberty, JR Hoell, Secretary New Hampshire Firearms Coalition |
