CONCORD, NH – Today the NH Senate and House passed the final
piece of legislation in a package of gun safety bills headed for the Governor’s
desk. HB 109 requires background checks for firearms sales and completely closes
the Charleston loophole; HB 514 creates a waiting period between the purchase
and delivery of a firearm and guards against impulsive acts of violence, like
suicide; and HB 564 clarifies statewide gun free schools.
March for Our Lives Rally at the State House
Statement from Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State
Progress: “We applaud the Senate and House for taking real steps to
protect public safety and keep guns out of the hands of felons and domestic
abusers. Governor Chris Sununu promised
New Hampshire voters that he would support universal background checks, and
we urge him to fulfill that campaign promise. Guns do not belong in the hands
of felons and domestic abusers, nor do they belong in our schools. The majority
of Granite Staters agree with these common sense measures.”
Tracy Hahn-Burkett,
Convener of the Kent Street Coalition’s Working Group on Gun Violence
Prevention: “These three bills offer an
opportunity to actually do something about the gun violence epidemic. People
are tired of seeing blood-soaked massacres on television, appalled that their
kids are afraid to go to school, and feel helpless in the face of suicide being
the second-leading cause of death for young people in New Hampshire. Background
checks, gun-free schools and waiting periods offer real tools for addressing
these concerns, and will help keep New Hampshire citizens safe, and we urge
Governor Sununu to sign them into law.”
This is the first time a package of gun violence prevention
bills has advanced to the Governor’s desk in New Hampshire. Today’s bill
passage comes as Giffords Law Center released a new
report revealing the cost of gun violence in New Hampshire exceeds $208
million each year.
###
GunSense NH, a
project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense
public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention
Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical
professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school
administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing
various constituencies.
Concord, NH – Today
Granite State Progress testified before the Executive Council during the confirmation
hearing for NH Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee Gordon MacDonald. Key highlights
from Granite State Progress testimony include:
MacDonald lacks judicial experience and previous court
decisions, approaches from which to draw conclusions about his
suitability for Chief Justice or Supreme Court judge, making scrutiny of
his private practice and advocacy more pressing.
MacDonald spent most of the last decade – 7 years – as a Board member and officer for the conservative think tank the Josiah Bartlett Center. During that time, the Bartlett Center advocated in opposition of Affordable Care Act implementation, Medicaid expansion, RGGI and renewable energy projects, and in support of school privatization efforts, right to work, and significantly changing public pensions.MacDonald must answer how his views on these subjects have impacted his work at the Attorney General of New Hampshire and how they might impact his decisions as a Supreme Court judge and chief justice.
Specifically,
as Attorney General, MacDonald reversed the department’s position on the
constitutionality of SB 193, a school voucher bill designed to divert
public taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. The Bartlett
Center helped draft and lobby for school vouchers, including SB 193,
during MacDonald’s time as a Board member and officer yet MacDonald did
not recuse himself.
MacDonald
did not sign onto a state coalition lawsuits to defend the Affordable Care
Act
and health care for hundreds of thousands of Granite Staters, a law which
the Bartlett Center railed against when MacDonald was a board member, or a
net neutrality lawsuit, which the Bartlett Center parent network opposes.
MacDonald did not join with 44 other
states on a landmark drug price-fixing lawsuit that includes over 20 companies
and 112 generic drugs treating a large
range of diseases. MacDonald is a former lead attorney for opioid manufacturer Purdue
Pharma, the maker of the drug OxyContin, and argued in the weeks before he
became Attorney General that the NH AG’s office should not be able to hire
an outside firm to help sift through millions of pages of documents about
whether the drug company deceived consumers about the addictiveness of
their opioids.
MacDonald
did not sign onto a state coalition lawsuit to challenge the Trump
Administration’s domestic gag rule that affects
critical health access for contraception,
cancer screenings, exams, and other related health services for women and
their families in New Hampshire. MacDonald previously served as legal
counsel for the Manchester Diocese, which opposes all abortion and most
forms of contraception; as the legislative director for US Senator Gordon Humphrey
when Humphrey sponsored a number of anti-abortion bills; and as a
delegate to the 2016 RNC National Convention for anti-choice politician
Marco Rubio.
In
contrast, MacDonald has been active around the Wayfair Ruling, participating in a panel hosted by the Josiah
Bartlett Center in October 2018 and promising attendees swift legal action and enforcement
on the matter.
“Granite State Progress encourages the Executive Council and
public to ask Mr. MacDonald how his views and prior advocacy on these subjects
have impacted his work as the Attorney General of New Hampshire and how they
might impact his future decisions as a Supreme Court judge and chief justice,”
said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “The
State Supreme Court is too important to rush thru a nomination without doing
the due diligence to obtain answers to these questions.”
Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that
addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State
Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community
to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to
critical community problems.
Governor Sununu threatens to veto
legislation that would keep guns out of the hands of felons and domestic
abusers
Concord, NH –At a final debate as a Gubernatorial candidate in 2016, Chris Sununu promised voters he’d support universal background checks and other measures to protect Granite Staters, especially victims of domestic violence, but now Sununu is siding with the corporate gun lobby instead of standing up for common sense public safety measures –
Candidate Chris Sununu, 2016: “I do also support universal background checks, where appropriate. To the point of the question, it’s a very important question, when you’re dealing with domestic violence issues, we must be standing up. Both at the local level and at the state level to protect those and families who would be held at risk. That’s one of the first and foremost responsibilities of government. It’s health and safety of individuals. For standing up for them, providing support and making sure they know that we will support them at every turn. So whether it’s limiting guns and making sure that those who would commit violence in homes, that we’re providing those correct background checks, that we’re providing those correct checks and balances – that’s important because it’s important to families, it’s important to the victims.” (Video: NH1 Gubernatorial Debate 2016, 10/26/16)
Candidate Chris Sununu, 2016: “I do also support universal background checks, where appropriate. To the point of the question, it’s a very important question, when you’re dealing with domestic violence issues, we must be standing up. Both at the local level and at the state level to protect those and families who would be held at risk. That’s one of the first and foremost responsibilities of government. It’s health and safety of individuals. For standing up for them, providing support and making sure they know that we will support them at every turn. So whether it’s limiting guns and making sure that those who would commit violence in homes, that we’re providing those correct background checks, that we’re providing those correct checks and balances – that’s important because it’s important to families, it’s important to the victims.” (Video: NH1 Gubernatorial Debate 2016, 10/26/16)
Governor Chris Sununu, 2019: “Governor
Chris Sununu has for days warned of plans to veto the state budget if it
includes a rollback of business tax cuts that took effect in January. But he
says more vetoes are coming on other bills prioritized by Democrats, including
plans to raise the state minimum wage, tighten gun laws, and loosen
or reverse GOP-backed changes to state voting laws. “Those are just
political bills, the ones you just mentioned, and most of those will get
vetoed, absolutely. That’s just political stuff. I am here to manage the
state.” (NHPR,
6/24/19)
Statement from Zandra Rice Hawkins, State Director of GunSenseNH, a project
of Granite State Progress:
“Chris Sununu is going back on his promise
to New Hampshire voters that he would support universal background checks and
other common sense public safety measures to keep guns out of the hands of
dangerous people, like felons and domestic abusers. In 2016, voters rejected
Kelly Ayotte for siding with the gun lobby over the 9 out of 10 Granite Staters
who support background checks, and we’ll do it again with Sununu. We can’t
trust Sununu if he makes campaign promises he isn’t willing to keep. It’s
shameful that he is blocking this critical public safety legislation to score
points with the corporate gun lobby instead of standing up for the health and safety
of his constituents.”
###
GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress,
works to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The program convenes
the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, members include gun violence
prevention advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, veterans, law
enforcement, elected officials, school administrators, educators, students, and
faith leaders, and organizations representing various constituencies.
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House Criminal Justice Committee
passed HB 109, closing background checks loopholes, by a vote of 10-9. Statements
from the prime sponsor and advocates:
“The National Instant Criminal Background Check System
(NCIS) has blocked over 2 million gun sales to people who are prohibited from
possessing guns, but the current system’s loophole is exploited by criminals
who can avoid background checks by purchasing firearms from unlicensed “private
sellers”, often at gun shows or through anonymous online transactions,” said State Representative Katherine Rogers,
prime sponsor of HB 109. “While HB 109 won’t prevent every tragedy, it will
make a difference, it will save lives, and it will make our communities a safer
place to live. Small changes to our gun laws might not prevent criminals from
getting a gun, but it will prevent many and that’s worth it.”
“Requiring a background check every time a gun is sold is
effective in keeping guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and
other prohibited persons,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director
of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “HB 109 requires a background check for all commercially
advertised sales and just makes sense –responsible gun owners shouldn’t put
guns in the hands of people they don’t know. Closing background checks
loopholes has widespread public support and we urge the full legislature to
pass this important piece of legislation.”
About HB 109: In 2018, New Hampshire conducted over
120,000 background checks to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic
abusers, and other prohibited persons. But guns sold in New Hampshire through
private sales at gun shows, online, or the classifieds do not currently require
a background check. Under this bill, commercially advertised gun sales – a
sale, transfer, or exchange of a firearm that takes place at, or on the
curtilage of, a gun show or pursuant to an offer to sell or buy a firearm from
an advertisement, posting, listing, or display – would require a criminal
background check through a federally licensed dealer using the same background
check system already used in all dealer sales. Requiring a background check
every time a gun is sold is effective in keeping guns out of the hands of those
with a criminal record. This just makes sense: responsible gun owners shouldn’t
put guns in the hands of people they don’t know. Sales and transfers between
family and friends are not subject to a background check, but a penalty applies
if an individual transfers or sells a firearm to a prohibited person.
###
GunSense NH, a
project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense
public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention
Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical
professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school
administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing
various constituencies.
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House Education Committee passed HB
564, statewide gun free schools, amended by a vote of 11-8. Statements from the
prime sponsor and advocates:
“The presence of firearms in our schools disrupts learning
environments and takes school personnel and resources away from their primary
job of teaching our children,” said State
Representative Mary Heath, prime sponsor of HB 564. “The majority of
states, 47 states of them and the District of Columbia, prohibit carrying or possessing
a firearm on K-12 school property or events. Only Hawaii, New Hampshire, and
Wyoming do not. New Hampshire has never experienced a multi-student shooting
event and while this bill cannot promise that it will prevent such a tragedy,
it is a step closer to keeping New Hampshire children safe from harm.”
“We applaud the committee for moving forward on this common
sense bill,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense
NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “Guns do not belong in our elementary, middle, or high
schools but right
now local school districts and police departments face real challenges in how
to appropriately deal with situations in light of major gaps in state law. We
need to make sure our local school districts and police departments have the
tools they need to deter a dangerous situation before it becomes a deadly one.”
“I applaud the outcome of the committee vote
to keep guns out of schools,” said Ruby
Carr, a junior at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy and a student leader on gun
violence prevention. “We hope the full legislature will also pass statewide gun
free schools legislation this session to ensure safe learning environments for
students like myself.”
About HB 564: The federal Gun Free Schools Act prohibits
students from bringing firearms into schools, and the Gun Free Schools Zone Act
prohibits all other persons from bringing firearms within 1,000 feet of school
property unless they are licensed by the state to carry a firearm. While
federal law establishes gun free school zones with qualifications, gaps in
state law and a recent statement from the Attorney General’s office has left
school districts and police departments in murky water on enforcement and
jeopardizes safe spaces for our children to learn and grow. HB 564 seeks to
clarify that our elementary, middle, and high schools are gun free.
###
GunSense NH, a
project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense
public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention
Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical
professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school
administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing
various constituencies.
Posted: June 27, 2019 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
NH Senate and House Pass Package of Gun Violence Prevention Bills, Next Stop Governor’s Desk
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH Senate and House passed the final piece of legislation in a package of gun safety bills headed for the Governor’s desk. HB 109 requires background checks for firearms sales and completely closes the Charleston loophole; HB 514 creates a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm and guards against impulsive acts of violence, like suicide; and HB 564 clarifies statewide gun free schools.
at the State House
Statement from Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress: “We applaud the Senate and House for taking real steps to protect public safety and keep guns out of the hands of felons and domestic abusers. Governor Chris Sununu promised New Hampshire voters that he would support universal background checks, and we urge him to fulfill that campaign promise. Guns do not belong in the hands of felons and domestic abusers, nor do they belong in our schools. The majority of Granite Staters agree with these common sense measures.”
Tracy Hahn-Burkett, Convener of the Kent Street Coalition’s Working Group on Gun Violence Prevention: “These three bills offer an opportunity to actually do something about the gun violence epidemic. People are tired of seeing blood-soaked massacres on television, appalled that their kids are afraid to go to school, and feel helpless in the face of suicide being the second-leading cause of death for young people in New Hampshire. Background checks, gun-free schools and waiting periods offer real tools for addressing these concerns, and will help keep New Hampshire citizens safe, and we urge Governor Sununu to sign them into law.”
This is the first time a package of gun violence prevention bills has advanced to the Governor’s desk in New Hampshire. Today’s bill passage comes as Giffords Law Center released a new report revealing the cost of gun violence in New Hampshire exceeds $208 million each year.
###
GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing various constituencies.
Posted: June 26, 2019 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
GSP Testimony on NH Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Gordon MacDonald Raises Questions Around SB 193 Reversal, Affordable Care Act, Reproductive Rights
Concord, NH – Today Granite State Progress testified before the Executive Council during the confirmation hearing for NH Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee Gordon MacDonald. Key highlights from Granite State Progress testimony include:
“Granite State Progress encourages the Executive Council and public to ask Mr. MacDonald how his views and prior advocacy on these subjects have impacted his work as the Attorney General of New Hampshire and how they might impact his future decisions as a Supreme Court judge and chief justice,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “The State Supreme Court is too important to rush thru a nomination without doing the due diligence to obtain answers to these questions.”
###
Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems.
Last Updated: June 25, 2019 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
As a Candidate in 2016, Chris Sununu Promised Voters He’d Support Universal Background Checks, Now Threatens to Side With Corporate Gun Lobby Over Granite Staters
Governor Sununu threatens to veto legislation that would keep guns out of the hands of felons and domestic abusers
Concord, NH –At a final debate as a Gubernatorial candidate in 2016, Chris Sununu promised voters he’d support universal background checks and other measures to protect Granite Staters, especially victims of domestic violence, but now Sununu is siding with the corporate gun lobby instead of standing up for common sense public safety measures –
Candidate Chris Sununu, 2016: “I do also support universal background checks, where appropriate. To the point of the question, it’s a very important question, when you’re dealing with domestic violence issues, we must be standing up. Both at the local level and at the state level to protect those and families who would be held at risk. That’s one of the first and foremost responsibilities of government. It’s health and safety of individuals. For standing up for them, providing support and making sure they know that we will support them at every turn. So whether it’s limiting guns and making sure that those who would commit violence in homes, that we’re providing those correct background checks, that we’re providing those correct checks and balances – that’s important because it’s important to families, it’s important to the victims.” (Video: NH1 Gubernatorial Debate 2016, 10/26/16)
Candidate Chris Sununu, 2016: “I do also support universal background checks, where appropriate. To the point of the question, it’s a very important question, when you’re dealing with domestic violence issues, we must be standing up. Both at the local level and at the state level to protect those and families who would be held at risk. That’s one of the first and foremost responsibilities of government. It’s health and safety of individuals. For standing up for them, providing support and making sure they know that we will support them at every turn. So whether it’s limiting guns and making sure that those who would commit violence in homes, that we’re providing those correct background checks, that we’re providing those correct checks and balances – that’s important because it’s important to families, it’s important to the victims.” (Video: NH1 Gubernatorial Debate 2016, 10/26/16)
Governor Chris Sununu, 2019: “Governor Chris Sununu has for days warned of plans to veto the state budget if it includes a rollback of business tax cuts that took effect in January. But he says more vetoes are coming on other bills prioritized by Democrats, including plans to raise the state minimum wage, tighten gun laws, and loosen or reverse GOP-backed changes to state voting laws. “Those are just political bills, the ones you just mentioned, and most of those will get vetoed, absolutely. That’s just political stuff. I am here to manage the state.” (NHPR, 6/24/19)
Statement from Zandra Rice Hawkins, State Director of GunSenseNH, a project of Granite State Progress:
“Chris Sununu is going back on his promise to New Hampshire voters that he would support universal background checks and other common sense public safety measures to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, like felons and domestic abusers. In 2016, voters rejected Kelly Ayotte for siding with the gun lobby over the 9 out of 10 Granite Staters who support background checks, and we’ll do it again with Sununu. We can’t trust Sununu if he makes campaign promises he isn’t willing to keep. It’s shameful that he is blocking this critical public safety legislation to score points with the corporate gun lobby instead of standing up for the health and safety of his constituents.”
###
GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing various constituencies.
Last Updated: February 27, 2019 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Statement on House Criminal Justice Committee Passage of HB 109, Closing Background Checks Loopholes to Keep Guns Out of Hands of Dangerous Felons, Domestic Abusers, and Other Prohibited Persons
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House Criminal Justice Committee passed HB 109, closing background checks loopholes, by a vote of 10-9. Statements from the prime sponsor and advocates:
“The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) has blocked over 2 million gun sales to people who are prohibited from possessing guns, but the current system’s loophole is exploited by criminals who can avoid background checks by purchasing firearms from unlicensed “private sellers”, often at gun shows or through anonymous online transactions,” said State Representative Katherine Rogers, prime sponsor of HB 109. “While HB 109 won’t prevent every tragedy, it will make a difference, it will save lives, and it will make our communities a safer place to live. Small changes to our gun laws might not prevent criminals from getting a gun, but it will prevent many and that’s worth it.”
“Requiring a background check every time a gun is sold is effective in keeping guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and other prohibited persons,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “HB 109 requires a background check for all commercially advertised sales and just makes sense –responsible gun owners shouldn’t put guns in the hands of people they don’t know. Closing background checks loopholes has widespread public support and we urge the full legislature to pass this important piece of legislation.”
About HB 109: In 2018, New Hampshire conducted over 120,000 background checks to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and other prohibited persons. But guns sold in New Hampshire through private sales at gun shows, online, or the classifieds do not currently require a background check. Under this bill, commercially advertised gun sales – a sale, transfer, or exchange of a firearm that takes place at, or on the curtilage of, a gun show or pursuant to an offer to sell or buy a firearm from an advertisement, posting, listing, or display – would require a criminal background check through a federally licensed dealer using the same background check system already used in all dealer sales. Requiring a background check every time a gun is sold is effective in keeping guns out of the hands of those with a criminal record. This just makes sense: responsible gun owners shouldn’t put guns in the hands of people they don’t know. Sales and transfers between family and friends are not subject to a background check, but a penalty applies if an individual transfers or sells a firearm to a prohibited person.
###
GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing various constituencies.
Last Updated: February 27, 2019 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Statement on House Education Committee Passage of HB 564, Statewide Gun Free Schools Bill
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House Education Committee passed HB 564, statewide gun free schools, amended by a vote of 11-8. Statements from the prime sponsor and advocates:
“The presence of firearms in our schools disrupts learning environments and takes school personnel and resources away from their primary job of teaching our children,” said State Representative Mary Heath, prime sponsor of HB 564. “The majority of states, 47 states of them and the District of Columbia, prohibit carrying or possessing a firearm on K-12 school property or events. Only Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Wyoming do not. New Hampshire has never experienced a multi-student shooting event and while this bill cannot promise that it will prevent such a tragedy, it is a step closer to keeping New Hampshire children safe from harm.”
“We applaud the committee for moving forward on this common sense bill,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “Guns do not belong in our elementary, middle, or high schools but right now local school districts and police departments face real challenges in how to appropriately deal with situations in light of major gaps in state law. We need to make sure our local school districts and police departments have the tools they need to deter a dangerous situation before it becomes a deadly one.”
“I applaud the outcome of the committee vote to keep guns out of schools,” said Ruby Carr, a junior at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy and a student leader on gun violence prevention. “We hope the full legislature will also pass statewide gun free schools legislation this session to ensure safe learning environments for students like myself.”
About HB 564: The federal Gun Free Schools Act prohibits students from bringing firearms into schools, and the Gun Free Schools Zone Act prohibits all other persons from bringing firearms within 1,000 feet of school property unless they are licensed by the state to carry a firearm. While federal law establishes gun free school zones with qualifications, gaps in state law and a recent statement from the Attorney General’s office has left school districts and police departments in murky water on enforcement and jeopardizes safe spaces for our children to learn and grow. HB 564 seeks to clarify that our elementary, middle, and high schools are gun free.
###
GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, works to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. The program convenes the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, members include gun violence prevention advocates, moms, medical professionals, gun owners, veterans, law enforcement, elected officials, school administrators, educators, students, and faith leaders, and organizations representing various constituencies.
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