HB 551 New Hampshire House · 2025 Regular Session

repealing the license to sell pistols and revolvers and limiting liability for certain design features of firearms.

HB 551 repeals the requirement for a license to sell pistols and revolvers in New Hampshire. It also limits legal liability for firearm manufacturers regarding specific design features of these weapons. The bill directly affects gun sellers (who no longer need this license) and manufacturers (who face reduced liability for certain design aspects). The law became effective immediately upon Governor Ayotte's signature on May 23, 2025. This represents a change to licensing requirements and liability rules for pistol and revolver sales.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Signed May 27, 2025
Floor votes · Senate May 8, 2025 · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

16–8
Passed
Total votes 24
May 8, 2025
D Democratic8
8 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican16
16 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
8
Committee
5
Amendments
3
May 27, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/23/2025; Chapter 40; eff. 05/23/2025
lower
May 22, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (197-161-35)
house
May 22, 2025
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1907s (Rep. Roy): MA RC 200-161 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 2
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
upper
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, AA; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
upper
May 8, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (16-8)
senate
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 20
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 19
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 9
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0818h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-0818h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0818h 03/07/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 15
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors