New Hampshire Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | True Reciprocity |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
There are no state licensing requirements for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Possession
There are no state licensing requirements for the possession of rifles, shotguns or handguns. It is unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony to own, possess or control any firearm. MORE |
Carry
New Hampshire is a permitless carry state, and New Hampshire Statute 159:6(III) provides that "The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver under this section or under any other provision of law shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one’s person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire." MORE |
Preemption
The state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. MORE |
Machine Guns
In the absence of any state law governing automatic weapons, federal law controls the registration and regulation of machine guns in New Hampshire. |
Antiques and Replicas
Antiques, defined as any handgun "utilizing an early type of ignition," such as flintlocks, percussion and pin fires, are exempt from the above regulations. No handgun which utilizes centerfire or rimfire cartridges will be considered an antique. |
Range Protection
No person who owns, operates, or uses a shooting range in this state shall be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution in any matter relating to noise or noise pollution... MORE |
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 197, and in the ...
Monday, April 5, 2021
On Wednesday, April 7, the House of Representatives is scheduled to hold floor votes on pro-gun measures, House ...
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee voted to pass pro-gun legislation that fixes the handgun purchase process in the ...
Monday, March 29, 2021
Tomorrow, March 30th, the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on pro-gun legislation that fixes ...
Friday, March 19, 2021
Yesterday, the New Hampshire Senate held a floor vote on pro-gun legislation that fixes the handgun purchase process ...
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
On Thursday, the New Hampshire Senate is expected to vote on pro-gun legislation, Senate Bill 141
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 141 by a vote of 3-2.
Friday, February 26, 2021
The Senate Judiciary Committee may hold an Executive Session on a measure that cleans-up New Hampshire’s handgun purchase ...
Friday, February 26, 2021
Yesterday, the House of Representatives held a floor vote on self-defense legislation, House Bill 197.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Tomorrow, February 24th, the House of Representatives is scheduled to hold floor votes on self-defense legislation, House Bill ...