The New Hampshire House has taken note of the potential for threats to motorists traveling near “protesters.” It has approved a change to state law that would expand the allowable use of deadly force in self-defense or the defense of another to include motor vehicles.
Related: Where Brad Cook Writing at NHBR Says Stupid Things About Guns, NH Schools, and Children
The existing statute 627:4 – Physical Force in Defense of a Person, (II part d.) states that “A person is justified in using deadly force upon another person when he reasonably believes that such other person:” … ‘Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor within such actor’s dwelling or its curtilage.’
Here is the new language:
(d) Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against a person in a vehicle, dwelling or its curtilage.
The change is promoted by evidence over the summer of “protesters” stopping and removing people from their vehicles who are then beaten or whose lives were clearly at risk.
In such circumstances, deadly force would now be permitted by the intended victim of the crime or a third person.
New Hampshire has made great strides in recent years to claw its way back toward the simplicity of our own right to keep and bear arms, Article 2a:
“All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the State.”
We clearly have a long way to go. The natural right that Article 2a exists to protect does not leave any wiggle room. All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of their families, property, and the state.
Period.
And still, it has only been a few years since law-abiding New Hampshire citizens were permitted to carry a concealed loaded firearm in their vehicle without the express permission of a magistrate or their designated representative (typically a local police chief).
Before that, for far too long, absent that indulgence, a concealed “loaded weapon” in your conveyance (glove compartment, under the seat, or not visible on your person) could get you some one-on-one time with the po-po. If HB197 becomes law, your “betters” will have agreed to allow you to use that legally concealable weapon in your defense or that of others if mortal harm appears imminent absent that use.
What galls, naturally, is the assumption that they ever had the authority to prevent it or (more precisely) that past generations allowed them to take it.
The bill will move to New Hampshire’s Republican-majority Senate and should pass without issue, then head to the governor.
Gov. Sununu. as far as I know, would sign it into law.
By the way, if you are not reading Rep. Judy Aron’s NH House Session Day Roundups, you are missing out on what may be the best synopsis of those days’ events available. Hat tip to Judy for the news about HB197 passing 206-144 in yesterday’s House session. (Rep. Aron is a co-sponsor of HB197)
Featured Image: A truck driver in Portland, harassed by “protesters,” removed from his vehicle and beaten unconscious on the street.
