HB 59 would close background check loopholes, HB 32 keeps guns out of our schools, HB 106 passes an extreme risk protection order, and HB 78 repeals Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last session
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House voted to defeated a package of gun violence prevention bills to close background check loopholes, keep guns out of our schools, create an extreme risk protection order – a bipartisan policy that temporarily removes firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others, and a repeal bill to overturn Governor Chris Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last year that makes it harder for communities to respond swiftly to the threat of gun violence. At the same time, the House voted against a gun lobby effort to expand the state nullification law and enforce strong penalties for it.
“In the past year, we witnessed the senseless murders in Uvalde, Buffalo, Monterey Park, Michigan State, and so many other communities, and these are only the gun tragedies that make the national news,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “Every day our communities deal with gun violence, and each of us needs to do our part to improve public safety by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, promoting responsible gun ownership, holding the gun lobby and industry accountable, and keeping high capacity weapons off our streets and out of our schools. We condemn the votes against public safety in the State House. Every single legislator who voted against these measures is responsible for the epidemic of gun violence that continues to harm our communities and our futures.”
The NH House voted against HB 59, closing background check loopholes 197-175; HB 32, keeping guns out of our schools 199-174; HB 106, creating an extreme risk protection order, 198-172; and HB 78, repealing Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last session, 200-173. In better news, the NH House also voted in the consent calendar to defeat HB 474, a gun lobby bill to further expand state nullification of firearms laws and enforce strong penalties around it.
Members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition released the following statements:
State Rep. David Meuse, a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “It was a bad day for New Hampshire supporters of bills to reduce the risk of gun violence, but a worse day for public safety. Guns do not belong in the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, and our families and children should be able to go to the park or attend school without the fear of gun violence. We remain committed to urgent action to reduce gun violence in our nation.”
State Rep. Amy Bradley, prime sponsor of Extreme Risk Protection Orders and a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “The majority of Granite Staters support passing long-overdue, common sense gun violence prevention measures in New Hampshire. We must do everything in our power to turn back the seemingly endless cycle of tragedy, “thoughts and prayers,” and inaction or doubling down on policies that enable guns in the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others.”
State Rep. Loren Selig (D-Durham), a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “This issue is simple, we do not need firearms in our schools. While federal law establishes ‘gun free school zones’ for the conduct of students, gaps in state law allow for members of the public to bring firearms onto school campuses, jeopardizing the safety of our kids, their teachers, and school resource officers. The tragic reality is there have been over 100 mass shootings already in 2023. My own children now instinctively look for hiding places and easy exits when they should be focused on their learning. As a parent, worrying that my kids will be traumatized by violence, or worse, won’t come home, is an unsustainable way to live. It does not have to be this way and legislation to cure gaps in the law is a tool we can and must use to protect Granite Staters from harm. It is gravely disappointing to see the House refuse common-sense gun violence prevention measures time and time again. ”
Rev. Heidi Heath, Executive Director of the NH Council of Churches: “A society is only as strong as how we care for our children. Something is terribly wrong when our children can go to school, and their parents have to worry they will be gunned down in their learning environment. The Council of Churches believes all are created in the image of God, and entitled to live free from the epidemic of gun violence. Today’s vote is a hard loss for parents, students, and all who seek a safer Granite State for children and families.”
Fisto Ndayishimiye, Lead Organizer for Change for Concord and GunSense NH Youth Advisory Board Member: “I am a survivor of a community where gun violence was pervasive, and I understand the impacts and harms that guns can cause when handled inappropriately and dangerously. I urge the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass gun violence prevention efforts to keep our communities safer.”
Aarika Roy, Student Leader and Junior at Nashua North High School, GunSense NH Youth Advisory Board Member: “Time and time again, as a country we continue to fall into a deeper cycle of gun violence. My peers and I continue to advocate for stricter gun violence prevention policies, and we have tried to make our voices heard through a number of ways including protesting, testifying, speaking directly with our lawmakers, and more. Governor Sununu and the state legislature continue to push us down and discourage us with their inaction. The further our country falls into this dangerous path, the more likely something as horrific as what has occurred repeatedly in other states will occur here if our elected officials don’t make safe, informed decisions. We encourage them to reconsider these gun violence prevention bills to create a safer future for students across the state, and set an example across the nation.”
Jonathan Weinberg, a campaign organizer with GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, and a former March for Our Lives student leader inspired by the student response to the Parkland shooting:
“Less than a year ago, we witnessed Uvalde. Over five years ago, we witnessed Parkland. Over ten years ago, we witnessed Sandy Hook. Over twenty years ago, we witnessed Columbine. As of Sunday, March 6th, Axios reported that the U.S already surpassed over 100 mass shootings in 2023. It is beyond time that the New Hampshire State Legislature act and pass gun violence prevention legislation, enacting safeguards to create safer communities. Today we witnessed an abject failure from our state legislators as they opposed gun violence prevention measures, disregarding the will of the voters.”
The remaining packaging of gun violence prevention bills is anticipated to be scheduled for floor votes later in March. For more details on the bills or to speak to gun violence prevention advocates, contact GunSense NH.
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Last Updated: March 30, 2023 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Pro-Public Education School Board Candidates and Warrant Articles Win Across New Hampshire (Again)
Early results from town meeting season shows New Hampshire on track to once again to show up for a strong, honest, and inclusive public education; Granite Staters agree: LGBTQ+ students belong in New Hampshire
CONCORD, NH – Similar to last year’s record-shattering turnout that delivered big wins for pro-public education school board candidates, early results from this year’s Town Meeting season shows New Hampshire on track to once again show up for a strong, honest, and inclusive public education. In several races to date, concerned parents and community members in communities large and small successfully organized to elect pro-public education candidates and reject those seeking to dismantle public education and target LGBTQ+ students and families.
“In nearly every school board race, Granite State voters chose out-spoken champions for public education and an honest, inclusive education. This is a big win for public schools and for our future. These leaders are committed to keeping our public schools strong and making sure every student has the freedom to learn in a safe, affirming learning environment,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director of Granite State Progress. “As the State House debates support for our public schools and whether to put a target on the backs of LGBTQ+ students, they should pay attention to what is happening at town meeting.”
Members of We the People and other hate groups, individuals disrupting school board meetings lost big, along with members of the Free State Project. Meanwhile champions for a fully funded, honest, and inclusive public education won across the state:
“For more than a year, our communities have come together to protect and support public education and an honest, inclusive education,” said Sarah Robinson, Education Justice Campaign Director for Granite State Progress. “The seed work that began with the school board elections last year continues to grow as parents, students, educators, and community leaders unite to protect their communities and organize proactive efforts. From recruiting strong candidates to showing up at the school board meetings to demand the best for all students, these community leaders are building a future we can all be proud of. Public education is the bedrock of our democracy, and the politicians trying to drive a wedge between parents and their local public schools by targeting queer youth or other students are being rightly rejected.”
“LGBTQ people belong everywhere, and sometimes schools are the only place for LGBTQ youth to feel safe being who they are,” said Linds Jakows, founder of 603 Equality. “603 Equality is strengthened by the outpouring of support in communities across the state to ensure the state meets its obligation to provide an adequate and inclusive education for all students. No LGBTQ+ student should be deprived of the safety and affirmation a public school can provide.”
For the past year, Granite Staters have made it clear that New Hampshire supports a strong public education and LGBTQ+ youth. Time and again, local communities are rejecting politicians and policies that attack public education and promote so-called parental rights bills, book bans, and other efforts to harm LGBTQ+ students and undermine school efforts to create affirming, inclusive learning environments.
Every time someone comes after our public schools or our LGBTQ+ students, our community rises up stronger. Every child deserves to be safe, healthy, and loved.
To speak with newly elected school board leaders or the parents and community members behind local organizing efforts, email sarah@granitestateprogress.org, subject line: School Boards.
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Last Updated: March 30, 2023 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Preventable Gun Violence Tragedy in Tennessee Underscores Urgency of Passing Gun Violence Prevention Policies Across U.S., Including New Hampshire
With weaker gun laws than Tennessee, inaction is no longer an option for New Hampshire’s people and policymakers
CONCORD, NH – On Monday morning, three 9 year old students and three staff were shot dead at the Covenant Grade School in Nashville, TN. This is America’s 90th school shooting this year per the K-12 School Shooting Database. And according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been 129 mass shootings so far this year. The Tennessee shooter, who was a former student and armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun, was shot dead by the police.
It is once again more clear that we, as a country, are failing to protect our children’s lives. It’s also clear that state gun safety laws matter. Tennessee has some of the weakest gun laws in the country and tragically high rates of gun violence – according to Everytown’s gun law ranking platform, Tennessee scores only 16.5 out of 100 for gun law strength. Tennessee has no laws regulating the purchase and possession of assault weapons. In an average year, 1,385 people die by guns in Tennessee and the rate of gun homicide increased 110% in the last 10 years (2012-2021). Guns are now the leading cause of death among Tennessee children and teens. Despite the lives taken on a daily basis in Tennessee, state lawmakers have only continued to tear down existing gun safety protections. That’s unacceptable.
“With gun laws even weaker than Tennessee’s, New Hampshire lawmakers must take action before a school or community in our state makes national headlines due to tragedy,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “Now more than ever, our state leaders must do their part to address the epidemic of gun violence that continues to harm our communities and our futures.”
The failure of Congress to pass more meaningful gun safety legislation has resulted in record-high deaths from firearms. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens for the last two years — and a largely preventable one. While Congress and too many New Hampshire state legislators continue to protect the powerful gun lobby and uniquely unregulated gun industry, we are failing to protect our most vulnerable and precious citizens.
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Last Updated: March 30, 2023 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Statement on NH House Vote on HB 351, Safe Storage of Firearms
HB 351 promotes safe storage of firearms to protect children and communities; it is the latest gun violence prevention bill to be shot down by the Republican-led NH state legislature this year, stifling progress to create safer communities and save lives
CONCORD, NH – Today, the NH House voted 203-182 to indefinitely postpone HB 351, which would have held irresponsible gun owners accountable for the negligent storage of firearms that resulted in a firearms death or injury by a child.
“Our children deserve to grow up in safe homes and communities where guns and ammunition are properly stored,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “When children have easy, unsupervised access to firearms, it increases the risk of injury or death. Responsible gun owners do not leave firearms improperly stored around young children. GunSense NH condemns the House vote against safe storage of firearms.”
Background: HB 351 promoted safe storage of firearms to protect children and communities, and expanded criminal penalties for negligent storage of firearms. Secure storage keeps firearms out of the wrong hands and can play a critical role in preventing firearm deaths, which are the leading cause of death for children and teens nationally. It also protects young children from the horrible experience of potentially harming themselves or someone else. New Hampshire is not immune to stories of young children harming themselves or others due to negligent storage of firearms and ammunition.
Members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition released the following statements:
Tracy Hahn-Burkett, member of the Kent Street Coalition Leadership Team and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Safe storage bills are supported by responsible, law abiding gun owners. They offer additional protection for children and save gun owners from the horror, and the liability, that is a risk whenever an unsecured firearm falls into the hands of a child.”
Rev. Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director of NH Council of Churches and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Gun violence is not just a policy issue, it is a moral, ethical and a theological issue as well. Our societies are only as strong as we care for our children, and when we put our children in unsafe situations where they can cause irreparable harm to themselves or others, we have failed.”
Jonathan Weinberg, a campaign organizer with GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, and a former March for Our Lives student leader inspired by the student response to the Parkland shooting: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each day in America 8 children and teens are injured or killed in shootings involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home. This common sense bill is the bare minimum legislators could have done to prevent the death and harm of children, and to keep young children from the horrible experience of causing those tragedies.”
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Last Updated: March 30, 2023 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on Gun Safety Measures
A new executive order by President Biden tightens background check laws and increases support for extreme risk protection orders to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, along with efforts to hold the gun industry accountable and address the marketing of firearms to minors
CONCORD, NH – Yesterday, in Monterey Park, California, President Biden announced an Executive Order with the goal of increasing the number of background checks conducted before firearm sales, moving the U.S. as close to universal background checks as possible without additional legislation. The Executive Order also seeks to keep more guns out of dangerous hands by increasing the effective use of extreme risk protection orders or “red flag” laws, strengthen efforts to hold the gun industry accountable, and accelerate law enforcement efforts to identify and apprehend the shooters harming our communities. President Biden is also encouraging the Federal Trade Commission to issue a public report analyzing how gun manufacturers market firearms to minors.
Read more details on this Executive Order here.
Members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition released the following statements:
Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Every day our communities deal with gun violence, and each of us needs to do our part to improve public safety by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, promoting responsible gun ownership, holding the gun industry accountable, and keeping high capacity weapons off our streets and out of our schools. We applaud President Biden for taking decisive action to reduce gun violence in our country, and we call on Congress and our state leaders to do their part to address the epidemic of gun violence that continues to harm our communities and our futures.”
State Representative Amy Bradley, prime sponsor of HB 106, relative to extreme risk protection orders and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) are a bipartisan policy that temporarily removes firearms from those with a dangerous pattern of behavior and access to firearms, before they can pose a danger to themselves or others. It is a smart proactive policy that saves lives, particularly for those at risk of suicide. We applaud President Biden’s efforts to encourage awareness of ERPO laws, especially given how effective they have been.”
State Representative David Meuse, prime sponsor of HB 351, relative to negligent storage of firearms and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Safe storage bills are supported by responsible, law abiding gun owners. They offer additional protection for children and save gun owners from the horror, and the liability, that is a risk whenever an unsecured firearm falls into the hands of a child. President Biden’s actions for gun safety today will prevent tragic deaths tomorrow.”
State Senator Debra Altschiller, prime sponsor of SB 247, relative to blanket immunity for gun manufacturers and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “For far too long, the gun industry has received blanket immunity to continue practices that harm our families and our communities. No other industry with such a record of harm has been allowed to exact fear and death in our country without accountability. President Biden’s efforts to hold gun manufacturers accountable for marketing to children and other harmful practices is an important step towards ensuring the gun industry takes responsibility for their role in reducing gun violence.”
Deidre Reynolds, Moms Demand Action member and member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Requiring background checks whenever a person purchases a firearm is a foundational life-saving gun safety measure that can reduce gun violence and save lives. We applaud President Biden for prioritizing the safety of our communities and we look forward to working with the Administration, our local lawmakers, and fellow gun safety champions to ensure that this common-sense gun safety law is being fully and effectively implemented throughout our state.”
Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director of NH Council of Churches and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Gun violence is not just a policy issue, it is a moral, ethical and a theological issue as well. Our societies are only as strong as we care for our children, and when our children leave home and parents have to worry on a daily basis that they will be gunned down and not return home, something is very wrong. The executive order by President Biden provides an opportunity for safer communities, so that families can live and grow together.”
Tracy Hahn-Burkett, member of the Kent Street Coalition Leadership Team and a member of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “Parents and grandparents are tired of fearing for their children’s lives when they drop their kids off at school. People are tired of fearing for their lives in grocery stores, at concerts — anywhere in public. In a country where gun violence has become the leading cause of death for youth, the common-sense steps of background checks, extreme risk protection orders and accountability measures are critical to ensure the safety of the American public, and we applaud the Administration for taking these steps.”
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The NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition has worked together for the last decade to protect and advance common sense public safety laws. 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. The coalition is convened by GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress.
Last Updated: March 30, 2023 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition Statement Following House Votes on Background Checks, Gun Free Schools, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and Partial State Nullification
HB 59 would close background check loopholes, HB 32 keeps guns out of our schools, HB 106 passes an extreme risk protection order, and HB 78 repeals Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last session
CONCORD, NH – Today the NH House voted to defeated a package of gun violence prevention bills to close background check loopholes, keep guns out of our schools, create an extreme risk protection order – a bipartisan policy that temporarily removes firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others, and a repeal bill to overturn Governor Chris Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last year that makes it harder for communities to respond swiftly to the threat of gun violence. At the same time, the House voted against a gun lobby effort to expand the state nullification law and enforce strong penalties for it.
“In the past year, we witnessed the senseless murders in Uvalde, Buffalo, Monterey Park, Michigan State, and so many other communities, and these are only the gun tragedies that make the national news,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress. “Every day our communities deal with gun violence, and each of us needs to do our part to improve public safety by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, promoting responsible gun ownership, holding the gun lobby and industry accountable, and keeping high capacity weapons off our streets and out of our schools. We condemn the votes against public safety in the State House. Every single legislator who voted against these measures is responsible for the epidemic of gun violence that continues to harm our communities and our futures.”
The NH House voted against HB 59, closing background check loopholes 197-175; HB 32, keeping guns out of our schools 199-174; HB 106, creating an extreme risk protection order, 198-172; and HB 78, repealing Sununu’s partial state nullification bill from last session, 200-173. In better news, the NH House also voted in the consent calendar to defeat HB 474, a gun lobby bill to further expand state nullification of firearms laws and enforce strong penalties around it.
Members of the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition released the following statements:
State Rep. David Meuse, a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “It was a bad day for New Hampshire supporters of bills to reduce the risk of gun violence, but a worse day for public safety. Guns do not belong in the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, and our families and children should be able to go to the park or attend school without the fear of gun violence. We remain committed to urgent action to reduce gun violence in our nation.”
State Rep. Amy Bradley, prime sponsor of Extreme Risk Protection Orders and a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “The majority of Granite Staters support passing long-overdue, common sense gun violence prevention measures in New Hampshire. We must do everything in our power to turn back the seemingly endless cycle of tragedy, “thoughts and prayers,” and inaction or doubling down on policies that enable guns in the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others.”
State Rep. Loren Selig (D-Durham), a member of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and NH Gun Violence Prevention Coalition: “This issue is simple, we do not need firearms in our schools. While federal law establishes ‘gun free school zones’ for the conduct of students, gaps in state law allow for members of the public to bring firearms onto school campuses, jeopardizing the safety of our kids, their teachers, and school resource officers. The tragic reality is there have been over 100 mass shootings already in 2023. My own children now instinctively look for hiding places and easy exits when they should be focused on their learning. As a parent, worrying that my kids will be traumatized by violence, or worse, won’t come home, is an unsustainable way to live. It does not have to be this way and legislation to cure gaps in the law is a tool we can and must use to protect Granite Staters from harm. It is gravely disappointing to see the House refuse common-sense gun violence prevention measures time and time again. ”
Rev. Heidi Heath, Executive Director of the NH Council of Churches: “A society is only as strong as how we care for our children. Something is terribly wrong when our children can go to school, and their parents have to worry they will be gunned down in their learning environment. The Council of Churches believes all are created in the image of God, and entitled to live free from the epidemic of gun violence. Today’s vote is a hard loss for parents, students, and all who seek a safer Granite State for children and families.”
Fisto Ndayishimiye, Lead Organizer for Change for Concord and GunSense NH Youth Advisory Board Member: “I am a survivor of a community where gun violence was pervasive, and I understand the impacts and harms that guns can cause when handled inappropriately and dangerously. I urge the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass gun violence prevention efforts to keep our communities safer.”
Aarika Roy, Student Leader and Junior at Nashua North High School, GunSense NH Youth Advisory Board Member: “Time and time again, as a country we continue to fall into a deeper cycle of gun violence. My peers and I continue to advocate for stricter gun violence prevention policies, and we have tried to make our voices heard through a number of ways including protesting, testifying, speaking directly with our lawmakers, and more. Governor Sununu and the state legislature continue to push us down and discourage us with their inaction. The further our country falls into this dangerous path, the more likely something as horrific as what has occurred repeatedly in other states will occur here if our elected officials don’t make safe, informed decisions. We encourage them to reconsider these gun violence prevention bills to create a safer future for students across the state, and set an example across the nation.”
Jonathan Weinberg, a campaign organizer with GunSense NH, a project of Granite State Progress, and a former March for Our Lives student leader inspired by the student response to the Parkland shooting:
“Less than a year ago, we witnessed Uvalde. Over five years ago, we witnessed Parkland. Over ten years ago, we witnessed Sandy Hook. Over twenty years ago, we witnessed Columbine. As of Sunday, March 6th, Axios reported that the U.S already surpassed over 100 mass shootings in 2023. It is beyond time that the New Hampshire State Legislature act and pass gun violence prevention legislation, enacting safeguards to create safer communities. Today we witnessed an abject failure from our state legislators as they opposed gun violence prevention measures, disregarding the will of the voters.”
The remaining packaging of gun violence prevention bills is anticipated to be scheduled for floor votes later in March. For more details on the bills or to speak to gun violence prevention advocates, contact GunSense NH.
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