Here is a quick thumbnail of what HB307 is about:
This bill provides state preemption of the regulation of firearms, ammunition, ammunition components, knives, and firearms components and accessories.
We are a Dillon’s Rule state which means that any other level of Government can only do what the NH Legislature has allowed by passing “enabling” laws.
Without such an RSA (as NH laws are called), those subdivisions can do NOTHING. But there are those Activists that clamber into Government that decided that they can ignore them (if they would only take their oaths to heart…). HB307 shuts them down Big Time in the area of guns – hands-off. Hat Tip to the Sponsors including MY NH House Representative (and Grokster!) Norm Silber for this. Here’s the intent:
It is the intent of this subdivision to provide uniform firearms laws in the state; to declare all ordinances and regulations null and void which have been enacted by any jurisdictions other than state and federal jurisdictions, which regulate firearms; ammunition; ammunition components; knives; firearms components; firearms accessories; and firearms supplies; to prohibit the enactment of any future ordinances or regulations relating to firearms; ammunition; ammunition components; knives; firearms components; firearms accessories; and firearms supplies unless specifically authorized by this subdivision or general law; and to require local jurisdictions to enforce state firearms laws. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision, including, without limitation, any school district or school administrative unit, shall regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms; ammunition; ammunition components; knives; firearms components; firearms accessories; and firearms supplies in this state.
Translation – The State passes laws on guns – obey it. Do not attempt to make your own or suffer the consequence of fines or even removal from office.
So, back to the story (reformatted, emphasis mine):
The Senate voted along partisan lines to approve legislation (HB 307) to render null and void local ordinances and school policies that limit the rights of adults to carry guns. The House-passed bill was in response to local regulations, such as one in Portsmouth that bans gun possession in public parks, and restrictions regarding the carrying of guns on some college campuses.
Heh! While the Town doesn’t (hasn’t, at least, thus far) about carrying on its property, the Gilford School District does:
Policy KFA: 7. Possess dangerous devices or weapons unless otherwise authorized by federal or state law; …Any person who violates this policy or any other acceptable standard of behavior may be ordered to leave school grounds. Law enforcement officials may be contacted at the discretion of the supervising District employee if such employee believes it necessary. Additionally, the District reserves the right to issue “no trespass” letters to any person whose conduct violates this policy, acceptable standards of conduct, or creates a disruption to the school district’s educational purpose.
Policy JICI: Weapons are not permitted in school buildings, on school property, in school vehicles or at school-sponsored activities. This policy applies to students, staff and members of the public alike…Members of the public who violate this policy will be reported to local law enforcement authorities.
Sorry but I think that not only will HB307 but the District has forgotten that the Federal “Safe Schools” Law allows concealed carry by those persons whose permits/license is signed by Law Enforcement – mine is by my local Chief rather, as NH law allows, the Selectmen if no LEOs are employed by that town (which some NH small towns don’t have police departments). Calling the cops on someone that is perfectly legal with respect to the actual Law is retribution – not to the Law but to their “sensibilities.”
Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said Senate amendments alter the bill to make it clear towns and schools can impose limits on discharging guns, but they can’t restrict the right to possess them since New Hampshire passed constitutional carry legislation in 2017.
Frankly, I just can’t help myself; I just don’t get this first part. I can HAVE the gun with me, but I have to either throw the gun at an aggressor or unload the mag and throw the bullets at them? Why carry? Yes, there are ordinances that limit discharges as there can be separation limits between houses building (e.g., 300 feet).
I’ll assume that’s what she meant.
That said, back to the whining part of the UL piece:
Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, said allowing unfettered gun possession on college campuses and other public settings is dangerous.
“This will make New Hampshire a campus carry state,” Whitley said. “This is very different than putting the gun in the hands of an 18-year-old soldier in a very restricted environment.”
The Senate passed the bill, 14-10, and it heads back to the House to consider the amendments.
Really BAD example to use. You defeat your own purpose because a LOT of civilians that age have firearms OUTSIDE of being in the military. And what about ME, whose college days are WAY in my rearview mirror – you wish to restrict me as well if I decide to visit a college that believes it can pre-empt State Law (be it public or private)?
This is the problem that HB307 solves.
Law must be evenly applied everywhere within that jurisdiction. I have no wish to earn the title of Felon simply because the local Law changes everything in just a few feet of an unknown border.
She also undercuts one of the other “wanted” items by the Left. If they aren’t willing to allow someone that has just reached the age of majority the ability to defend themselves, WHY IN GOD’S GREEN EARTH would you ever consider allowing a 16-year-old, whose higher-order reasoning ability is dwarfed by hormone-driven feelz exacerbated by their teachers who either are also feelz dominated or ideologically driven Left? But I digress a bit.
Back to the Rights.
This has been the crie d’accord of the anti-gunners since forever. Any attempt to restore the original meaning of both the Second Amendment and Article 2-A that acknowledge our inherent Right to bear and keep arms gets this from the Left: “ITS DANGEROUS!”.
We’ve had Constitutional Carry here in NH, as Carson reminds us, since 2017. Have we seen the “blood running in the streets” as no one has to do the “May I, Mummy Government” schtick of getting permission first? No, of course. Nor any other State that has returned to the actual intent of the Constitution. Not a single one. We have not been turned into the Wild Wild West where gun battles happen all the time on every street corner unless you live in a Democrat-controlled urban area where they want to control the guns but have a revolving door for the criminals wielding those guns by arresting them, booking them, and then having Democrat-leaning/Soros financially sponsored District Attorneys that simply wave their hand and send them on their way out the door to recommit more violent crimes.
How about fixing THAT situation first? A situation, again, that we don’t have here in NH – yet. We will if the Democrats get the chance to make it so.
(H/T: UL)
