Gun Violence Prevention

Granite State Progress supports gun violence prevention, including opportunities to strengthen state and federal laws such as closing the background checks loophole and advocating for policies that protect our children and our communities. Since 2009, Granite State Progress has monitored firearms related policy at the state level, working with other state-based and national groups and advocates to advance public safety laws and defeat dangerous gun lobby sponsored legislation.

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New Hampshire Gun Violence Prevention Bill Tracking 2018
Latest Action Alerts
Gun Violence Prevention Speakers Bureau
Get Involved in a Local Gun Violence Prevention Group or Student Club
Be SMART for Kids and Mother’s Dream Quilt Project
Gun Violence Prevention Vote Records

New Hampshire Gun Violence Prevention Bill Tracking 2018

Below are 2018 bills dealing with firearms in the New Hampshire State Senate and State House. Our tracking sheet does not mean support or opposition to these bills unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions related to these bills, please call our office at (603) 225-2471 or email info@granitestateprogress.org.

Latest Action Alerts

Contact Governor Sununu and State Legislators, Write Letters to the Editor: The state legislature just finished the first half of the 2018 session. Check back for actions as the few remaining firearms bills are scheduled for public hearings. The only remaining bills seek to allow loaded firearms in stationary or moving vehicles, including snowmobiles (oppose) and to establish a death benefit for a school employee killed in the line of duty (support). In the meantime, see the vote records below or here to contact Governor Sununu and state legislators, or write a letter to the editor thanking or expressing disapproval with your elected official’s votes.

Gun Violence Prevention Speakers Bureau

Book a presenter and host a workshop or briefing on firearms-related policy and politics at the state and federal level, followed by an update on current gun violence prevention efforts. Workshop offerings include how to talk about major gun violence prevention efforts, including background checks and other popular reforms, as well as action steps that can be taken right now to reduce gun violence in our communities. Contact us to schedule a presenter from Granite State Progress or one of our gun violence prevention coalition members.

Get Involved in a Local Gun Violence Prevention Group

There are a lot of powerful gun violence prevention groups. Here are a few of our favorites – click on the name to take action and get action updates.

*** Moms Demand Action-NH takes the lead on public education in New Hampshire and we highly encourage you to get involved with them! ***

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America – Local NH chapters!

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

States United to Prevent Gun Violence

Sandy Hook Promise

The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus

Giffords Coalition

NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition (Statewide Network) | Granite State Progress. The statewide coalition for gun violence prevention has worked together for the last 5 years to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The coalition typically holds a NH GVP Summit each fall that includes message training, state and federal landscape updates, and campaign planning for the coming year. We will host a Spring NH GVP Summit to help interested community members get connected to these state-led efforts and deepen collaboration. To get involved in the statewide coalition, bookmark this page or contact Granite State Progress at (603) 225-2471 or zandra@granitestateprogress.org. Coalition members include both individuals and champion legislators as well as organizations representing advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, law enforcement, educators, students, and faith leaders.

NH Social Justice League (Student/Youth Network). Students across New Hampshire have launched a statewide student network for school safety. The catalyst for formation was the activism displayed by the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. We stand with them in our current focus on gun reform in order to end the horrendous cycle of mass shootings in which our nation is currently trapped. Student and youth leaders are encouraged to join the listserve and participate in monthly meetings. Community members can forward contact information for area student leaders to our high school intern Jennifer White at jennifer@granitestateprogress.org to get them connected or have youth visit http://www.nhsocialjusticeleague.org/.

NH School Safety Coalition (Educators/Administrators Network). NEA-New Hampshire is convening educators, PTO’s, school administrators, school boards, mental health advocates, and others who are working on school safety from a practitioner perspective. If you are an educator or serve on a school related board or PTO, email crollo@neanh.org to get connected.

GVP Champion Legislators (Elected Officials Network). Our state is well-served by several leading elected champions of gun violence prevention working in partnership with advocacy groups and concerned community members. Elected officials seeking to become more involved in these efforts are encouraged to contact Granite State Progress or State Representative Katherine Rogers.

The leaders and membership of these distinct coalitions are collaborating on issues and strategy, though may differ in approaches.

Looking for facts and information about firearms? Our go-to source is the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence which provides data and analysis, as well as trends in federal and state legislation. Check out the New Hampshire page. We also recommend Center for American Progress for timely news.

Be SMART for Kids and Mother’s Dream Quilt Project

Public policy is only one avenue for reducing gun violence. Join our partners at Moms Demand Action for some of these other opportunities to take action. Contact Moms Demand Action to get involved.

Be SMART for Kids. Children and unsecured guns are a dangerous, and all too often deadly, mix. Responsible adults–both gun owners and non-gun owners alike–can help prevent tragedies that result when kids get ahold of unsecured guns. The Be SMART program provides five simple steps that we can all take to prevent children from accessing guns.

Mother’s Dream Quilt Project. Every mother dreams of a happy future for her children. Unfortunately, too many American mothers see that dream shattered by gun violence—which has become part of the very fabric of our country. Moms Demand Action has created The Mother’s Dream Quilt Project to symbolize the human toll of gun violence in America, and mothers’ shared dream of a country where all our children will be safe.

New Hampshire Firearms Legislation Bill Tracking 2018

Bill	Title	Status	Committee	Notes	Campaign Status & Opportunities
HB1313 text	relative to prohibitions on carrying a loaded firearm on an OHRV or snowmobile.	Public Hearing 1/16/2018; 2/21/18 OTP (Vote 11-7; RC) Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-0588h; 03/22/2018 Ought to Pass: MA RC 181-148	HOUSE Resources, Recreation and Development	This bill repeals the prohibitions on carrying a loaded firearm on an OHRV or a snowmobile. Minority report would have required the firearm to be unloaded but was voted down.	Bill advances. GVP advocates should oppose in Senate.
HB1380 text	relative to unauthorized use of firearms.	Public Hearing 01/10/2018; Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 02/07/2018 (Vote 17-3; CC); Floor Vote: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/08/2018	HOUSE Criminal Justice and Public Safety	This bill allows for discharge of a firearm within the compact part of a city or town with the written permission of all abutting property owners, instead of the chief of police or governing body.	Bill defeated. GVP win.
HB1438 text	relative to residential leases including provisions prohibiting tenants from possessing firearms, explosives, or ammunition within the premises.	Public Hearing 01/24/2018; 2/27/2018 Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 16-1; CC); 3/6/18 Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2018	HOUSE Judiciary	This bill allows for rental and lease agreements for residential property to include a clause prohibiting tenants from possessing firearms, explosives, or ammunition within the premises.	Bill defeated.
HB1542 text	relative to carrying a pistol or revolver on university system and community college system property.	Public Hearing 01/10/2018; 1/31/2018 Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 15-5; RC); Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-0044h; Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 231-110 02/22/2018	HOUSE Criminal Justice and Public Safety	This gun lobby-backed legislation would force colleges and universities to allow guns on campus. The main bill would allow guns on the exterior grounds of any university system of New Hampshire and community college system of New Hampshire property. The minority report includes an amendment to bring guns into both interior and exterior spaces of our universities and community colleges.	Bill defeated. GVP win.
HB1566 text	prohibiting open carry of a firearm in certain public places.	Public Hearing 01/10/2018; Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 02/07/2018 (Vote 12-8; RC); Floor Vote 2/15/18 Inexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 194-126	HOUSE Criminal Justice and Public Safety	This bill prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in certain public places, including a place where medical services are provided; venues where liquor is sold or consumed; polling places during a federal, state, or municipal election, many of which occur in elementary schools or churches; houses of worship; any entertainment venue which seats more than 5,000 people; any public building, including places owned or operated by the state or one of its political subdivisions, including the university system of New Hampshire and the community college system of New Hampshire. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and fined $100 for a first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. Exceptions are made for law enforcement and members of the armed services.	See vote records here and contact State Reps, write letters to the editor. (Yes means voted to kill the bill, no means voted to consider the bill; GSP has contacted certain legislators who support gun violence prevention to ask them to explain their vote by March 2nd as some legislators were conflicted on this bill)
HB1749 text	relative to the state’s authority to prohibit or regulate firearms and relative to the selectmen’s authority to manage town property.	Public Hearing 01/10/2018; Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study for 02/07/2018 (Vote 18-2; RC); Floor Vote – Referred for Interim Study Roll Call 239-71 02/08/2018 .	HOUSE Municipal and County Government	This bill limits the ability of towns and school districts to regulate firearms on public property. The bill sponsors specifically cite in the legislation opposition to towns limiting target shooting on town land, and school districts preventing firearms in school zones. “No public or private entity shall prohibit the sale, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or knives on any property owned, in whole or in part, by the state, or an agency, political subdivision, committee, or other governmental unit thereof, unless expressly authorized in statute.” This also raises the concerns over firearms in half-way houses and other locations.	Bill defeated. GVP win. Committee chair may host study over the summer.
SB500 text	amending references to firearms terminology.	Public Hearing: 02/13/2018, 3/7/18 Committee Amendment #2018-0966s, AA, VV and OTP w/Amendment 5-0; 03/08/2018; Ought to Pass with Amendment 2018-0966s, MA, VV; 3/20/2018 Public Hearing; Full Committee Work Session: 03/27/2018 10:00 AM LOB 307	SENATE Judiciary; HOUSE Fish and Game and Marine Resources	This bill amends certain references to firearm to make them consistent with federal law. The bill also removes the prohibition of carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in a stationary motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, or aircraft.	Monitor. Largely technical update.
SB492 text	prohibiting bump stocks in New Hampshire.	Public Hearing 01/25/2018; Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study on party line vote 3-2; Senate Floor Vote 02/01/2018: Refer to Interim Study, RC 14Y-9N Party Line Vote	SENATE Judiciary	This bill establishes a misdemeanor offense for the manufacture, sale, possession, or use of a multiburst trigger activator, known as a “bump stock.”	Bill defeated. GVP loss.
HB 1415 text	establishing a death benefit for a school employee killed in the line of duty.	Public Hearing: 01/16/2018; Executive Session: 01/30/2018 Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-0398h for 02/07/2018 (Vote 11-6; RC), Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; 02/08/2018: House Floor Vote Ought to Pass with Amendment 0398h: MA RC 176-161; Referred to Finance; 3/15/2018 Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2018-0897h (Vote 26-0; RC); 3/22/2018 Ought to Pass with Amendment 0897h: MA VV 03/22/2018	House Executive Departments and Administration	This bill provides a death benefit for the family members of a school employee killed in the line of duty. There have been more than a dozen school shootings in our country since the start of the New Year.	Bill advances. GVP win. Advocates should support in the Senate.
HB 1463	relative to requirements for noise ordinances in towns.	Public Hearing: 02/13/2018; 2/28/2018 Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass (Vote 11-7; RC); 3/21/2018 FLAM #2018-1007h RC 202-131; Ought to Pass with Amendment 1007h: MF RC 138-194; Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV	Municipal and County Government	This bill limits the authority of towns to enact noise ordinances. It requires any town noise ordinace to specificy the decibel level allowed, which may vary according to the time of day, and requires that any noise complaints be reviewed by a person qualified to use a decibel meter, and that any law enforcement action shall be taken only as the result of a complaint. The gun lobby admits this bill will make it more difficult for communities to address gun ranges or other firearms noise and issues. An amendment to the bill also specifically exempted shooting ranges from noise ordinances.	Bill fails. GVP win.
SB 357 Amendment	Allowing school boards to determine whether or not to prohibit the possession of firearms in a safe school zone.	Public Hearing: 3/14/18; 3/15/2018 Majority Committee Report 2-3; 3/21/2018 Roll Call 9Y-14N	Senate Education	This bill clarifies that school boards can establish and enforce gun free school zones.	Bill fails. GVP loss.

Gun Violence Prevention Vote Records

Governor Sununu and Senate Republicans have spent their time in Concord parroting gun lobby talking points instead of standing up for the safety of students and families. Meanwhile, other elected officials are working hard to advance common sense gun violence prevention measures. Here’s how your State Senators and Representatives voted this session :

(Select your county to view or print)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Belknap County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Carroll County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Cheshire County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Coos County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Grafton County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Hillsborough County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Merrimack County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Rockingham County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Strafford County)

GSP State House Report Card – Gun Violence Prevention Votes (Sullivan County)

To find your legislator, use this look-up tool at the NH General Court:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx