Free Republic

CONCORD – Rep. Al Baldasaro today released the following in reaction to the Governor’s statement attacking SB 88, which ensures the right for New Hampshire citizens to defend themselves. Baldasaro is a sponsor of the legislation. Rep. Al Baldasaro, Chairman State and Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs: “Gov. Lynch has placed special interests ahead of protecting ourselves and our families. People should have their constitutional right to protect themselves. New Hampshire citizens should not have to run and hide when their lives are being threatened.”

The veto of Senate Bill 88 should be overridden by the Legislature. This castle doctrine legislation does not and would not allow criminals to use a firearm (probably already obtained illegally) in an illegal act, such as shooting another gang member to use this legislation as a means to escape justice. It does not even permit law-abiding citizens who legally own firearms to fire in self-defense without accountability to whether deadly force was imminent and whether it may have even been appropriate under those circumstances to use a firearm (e.g., a crowded street filled with citizens). Only the criminals and...

DOVER, NH — Local law enforcement officials in support of Gov. John Lynch’s veto of a bill that would allow citizens to use deadly force in self-defense with civil immunity say they’re not only satisfied with the current law, but are concerned the new bill would produce unintended consequences. SB 88, which would allow a person to use deadly force to protect themselves or a third party and face civil immunity in certain circumstances, was vetoed earlier this year by Lynch, who has been vocal in his view that the bill would make the job of law enforcement more difficult....

When the New Hampshire Legislature reconvenes this fall to take up the governor’s vetoes, one of the bills that appears almost certain to be overridden is SB 88, which would broaden an individual’s right to use deadly force to defend oneself in public. The House of Representatives approved the final version of the bill, 283-89, while the Senate followed suit on a 19-5 vote – both comfortably beyond the two-thirds majorities lawmakers need to override Gov. John Lynch’s veto. Just because they can, however, doesn’t mean they should. This bill is as unnecessary as it is unwise, and we urge...

“The sure foundations of the state are laid in knowledge, not in ignorance; and every sneer at education, at culture, at book learning, which is the recorded wisdom of the experience of mankind, is the demagogue's sneer at intelligent liberty, inviting national degeneracy and ruin.”~George William Curtis, Author, Social Reformer (1824-1896) Governor John Lynch vetoed Senate Bill 88 yesterday, once again affirming allegiance to yet another unelected, unaccountable constituency: The New Hampshire Police Chiefs Association. Despite thirty-one states adopting "stand your ground" laws and eliminating such duties to retreat, Lynch takes his counsel from those who think of themselves as...