Criminal Justice (Firearms)

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1279: relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

HB 1279 modifies New Hampshire's self-defense law to clarify when physical force can be used against someone committing a felony. It specifies that force is justified if a person reasonably believes another is "likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony" against them or a third person within their vehicle, dwelling, or immediate property (curtilage). The bill expands the legal standard by focusing on the likelihood of a felony occurring, not just an immediate threat. This change directly affects individuals defending themselves or others in their home, car, or nearby property during potential felony crimes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands self-defense rights by clarifying force justification for felony threats, protecting civil rights in criminal law. Aligns with 'support' indicator of protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1203: relative to the return of firearms following a not guilty verdict or dismissal of the proceeding.

HB 1203 requires courts to immediately order the return of firearms or ammunition seized during a criminal case when the case ends in a not guilty verdict or is dismissed by the state. It mandates that law enforcement agencies must return the property within 24 hours of the court order, eliminating the need for background checks in these specific situations. The bill directly affects individuals whose firearms were temporarily seized as part of a criminal proceeding that did not result in a conviction. This policy change ensures a streamlined process for returning property without additional screening once a case concludes without a guilty finding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects defendant rights by requiring immediate firearm return after not guilty verdict, eliminating unnecessary background checks, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 466: relative to the possession of a firearm without a serial number.

SB 466 makes it a class A felony to alter, remove, or destroy identifying marks (such as the maker's name, model, or serial number) on any firearm. Possessing a firearm with such altered marks is considered evidence that the possessor made the changes. This law directly affects individuals who modify firearm markings or possess firearms with altered identification, raising penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties from misdemeanor to felony for firearm marking alterations, expanding criminalization and raising offense severity in firearm regulation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1084: relative to the relinquishment of deadly weapons by those subject to a domestic violence protective order.

HB 1084 requires individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order in New Hampshire to immediately surrender all firearms, ammunition, and deadly weapons to law enforcement officers. The bill directly affects people ordered to relinquish weapons under protective orders (RSA 173-B:4 or 173-B:5), making surrender mandatory rather than discretionary. Key provisions include replacing "may" with "shall" for weapon relinquishment, prohibiting refusal (with immediate detention for non-compliance), and requiring courts to issue search warrants if weapons remain unturned over. This bill strengthens enforcement of existing protections by ensuring weapons are removed from individuals deemed a threat under domestic violence orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates immediate firearm surrender for domestic violence protective order subjects, enhancing victim safety and preventing gun violence. Aligns with criminal justice reform by strengthening protections and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1642: relative to extreme risk protection orders.

HB 1642 establishes a new legal process for courts to issue temporary orders restricting access to firearms for individuals deemed to pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Eligible petitioners - including family or household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement officers - must file a court petition with a sworn affidavit detailing specific safety concerns, such as recent threats or dangerous behavior involving firearms. The court may issue an initial temporary order without the person at risk being present, followed by a prompt hearing where they can respond. The order requires the individual to surrender firearms and ammunition and remains in effect until the court decides otherwise, prioritizing public safety while ensuring due process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes court process for firearm restrictions to prevent violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm through proactive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1454: relative to the possession of firearms following a court order requiring surrender of firearms and ammunition.

HB 1454 makes it a crime to possess a firearm after a court orders you to surrender all firearms and ammunition you owned or controlled. For a first offense, this is a class A misdemeanor; repeat violations are class B felonies. The bill also specifies that violating this court order counts as a qualifying offense for bail denial if the original court order was a domestic violence protection order (under RSA 173-B) or if the person faces separate domestic violence charges. It directly affects individuals subject to such court orders, particularly in domestic violence cases. The law applies to all firearms and ammunition subject to the court’s surrender requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces firearm surrender in domestic violence cases, preventing gun access for abusers and enhancing victim safety per RSA 173-B, aligning with criminal justice reform protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 555: relative to critical risk protection orders.

SB 555 creates "critical risk protection orders" to temporarily restrict access to firearms when someone poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. It allows family members, household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement to petition a court for this order, requiring the respondent to surrender firearms and ammunition. The court can issue an emergency order without the respondent's immediate presence, followed by a hearing within 72 hours. This applies only to acute risk situations and excludes cases already covered under domestic violence laws (RSA 173-B or 633:3-a).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates court-ordered firearm restrictions for acute risk situations, preventing harm and enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 1108: relative to the offense of criminal threatening.

HB 1108 revises New Hampshire's criminal threatening law to clarify that individuals displaying a firearm or other lawful self-defense tool in response to specific threats (like potential serious injury, death, property damage, or unlawful intrusion) will not be considered to have committed criminal threatening. It applies directly to people using defensive measures against these defined threats. The key provision creates a legal exception for reasonable defensive actions, specifying that the response must be to conduct a reasonable person would view as likely to cause the listed harms. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local fiscal impact.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies that defensive firearm use against specific threats isn't criminal threatening, protecting self-defense rights and preventing wrongful charges under criminal justice law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1373: relative to background check disqualifications for applicants seeking educator credentials.

HB 1373 expands background checks for individuals seeking teaching credentials in New Hampshire by adding specific crimes to the list that would disqualify applicants. It disqualifies applicants convicted of certain drug trafficking offenses (like RSA 318-B:2), sex offenses involving children (including RSA 650:2), or other serious violations listed in the bill within the last 10 years. This directly affects people applying for educator credentials who have these specific criminal histories. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 189:13-c) to include these additional disqualifying offenses, effective upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands disqualifying crimes for educators, restricting employment opportunities for those with certain criminal histories, opposing reform efforts that reduce barriers.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educator background checks to disqualify those with child sex offenses/drug trafficking, directly protecting student safety. Aligns with 'protect' under support for education topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Teachers