New Hampshire Senate Bill 12 (2017) is an Act, repealing the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver. The new law would make the current pistol revolver license in New Hampshire optional. So, anyone legally able to own a firearm in the state would be legally able to put a coat or jacket on without having to get permission from a local police chief first. (Open carry without a license is already legal in New Hampshire.)
The bill has the support of all 14 Republicans in the State Senate, with 13 of them being sponsors and Governor Sununu has said he would sign such a bill. A hearing is already scheduled so expect this bill to move quickly to the governor’s desk to become law.
A similar bill passed the legislature in 2015 and 2016 but was vetoed by Democrat Gov. Maggie Hassan.
Governor Sununu is on the record dismissing the rhetoric of chiefs of police associations and others who oppose the change.
SB 12 would also extend the time for which the optional license is valid (a license may be required for reciprocity) and “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.”
