New Hampshire Senate Passes Constitutional Carry Reform

Gun Watch ^ | 28 April, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

New Hampshire has always been a state that seemed likely to be one of the first to pass constitutional carry, which allows people who may legally own guns to carry them either openly or concealed without a permit. While attempts have been made in the past several years, various mishaps have resulted in no bill being passed.  Sister state Vermont has the longest border with New Hampshire, and Vermont has had constitutional carry since 1791, and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

This year House Bill 582 was killed in the criminal justice committee, and it looked as if constitutional carry reform would take at least another year.

But Senate Majority leader, Jeb Bradley sponsored a constitutional carry bill, SB 116. It passed the Senate, 14-9. It passed the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee 10-6. It seems likely to pass the whole House.  Here is the analysis of SB116:

This bill:
I. Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid.
II. Allows a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute.
III. Requires the director of the division of state police to negotiate and enter into agreements with other jurisdictions to recognize in those jurisdictions the validity of the license to carry issued in this state.
IV. Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver.

The reform is unlikely to become law, however, because Governor Maggie Hassan, a lifelong Democrat, has been coy about commenting on the bill. I believe that her veto of the bill is likely. Her comment is of the standard non-support type - "I support the Second Amendment, but". From the unionleader.com:

"I support the Second Amendment," she told reporters last week, "but (this bill) raises some serious issues."

Hassan is a little shy about being a Democrat.   Her Governor's website does not identify her party affiliation.    The wikipedia article reveals that she is a lifelong Democrat from a lifelong Democrat family.

However, Hassan seems to be a practical politician.  If she gets lots of grassroots pressure to sign the bill, she just might do so.    It does not seem likley that she will, and the majority in the Senate is just short of being able to override a veto.

If she vetoes the bill, it will be clear that she is a supporter of the second amendment in name only.  Perhaps showing voters that side of her is one of the major purposes of this bill.

©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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[marktwain]

It will be nice if Governor Hassan signs this bill, but I doubt that she will. It goes against all her Democrat DNA.

[wita]

The reform is unlikely to become law, however, because Governor Maggie Hassan, a lifelong Democrat, has been coy about commenting on the bill. I believe that her veto of the bill is likely. Her comment is of the standard non-support type - “I support the Second Amendment, but”. From the unionleader.com:

Getting anything done in state government without the Governor on board is usually a bridge too far. Broad brush I know.

[concerned about politics]

Vermont has had constitutional carry since 1791, and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

I'd say this one sentence is enough to end the carry debate.
Who would protect a family better? A politician living, dining, and dancing in Washington, or a Mom or Dad living right in their home?

[the_individual2014]

Vermont is a very leftist state from what I understand so thats interesting, but glad New Hampshire my current new home will pass this, maybe I will get a weapon earlier that I intended.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Doesn’t number I contradict numbers II and IV?

Number I states.....”Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a pistol or revolver is valid.”

I thought it would no longer be necessary to have a license to carry under this bill?

Also, here in Maine the Maine House and Senate are on the verge of repealing the need to have a permit to conceal carry.

[marktwain]

It will pass, but very doubtful that Governor Hassan will sign it.

The Vermont Supreme Court made a clear decision in 1903 that solidified constitutional carry into their legal code.

In 1905, as part of the “Progressive” surge, the Kansas Supreme Court created the “collective rights myth” out of whole cloth. It has been used repeatedly to justify infringements on the rights to keep and bear arms in nearly all other states.

But Vermont escaped, by virtue of a clear thinking judge and probably because they have no large cities to attract organized crime, just two years earlier.

[marktwain]

No contradiction. The permit process will be available for those who want it, but carrying concealed without a permit will be legal if you can legally possess the handgun.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Why would someone want to go through the permit process?

Is it to enable the permit holder to have the ability to conceal carry in other states that have a reciprocal agreement with New Hampshire?

I could understand someone wanting to have the ability to conceal carry in another state that they visit frequently.

[Bob434]

[[and Vermont has had constitutional carry since 1791, and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.]]

Gun confiscation advocates will and do always point out that VT also has one of the lowest populations too- so they claim ‘of course VT has the lowest crime rates- “

[NorthMountain]

Is it to enable the permit holder to have the ability to conceal carry in other states that have a reciprocal agreement with New Hampshire?

Yes. See "III" in the description of the law.