Everytown, New Hampshire Moms Demand Action Criticize Senate Judiciary Committee for Advancing Legislation That Would Allow People to Carry Hidden, Loaded Handguns in Public Without a Permit

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today denounced lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing Senate Bill 12. If enacted, the bill would do away with New Hampshire’s longstanding requirement that a person obtain a permit before carrying a concealed handgun. The legislation would also strip local law enforcement of the authority to deny permits to dangerous individuals. The bill now moves to the Senate floor, where it will be debated by the full chamber. Volunteers with New Hampshire Moms Demand Action testified against the legislation at the Tuesday morning hearing. Similar bills were put forward in the last two years, both of which were eventually vetoed by former Governor Maggie Hassan.

STATEMENT FROM ROBIN SKUDLAREK, VOLUNTEER, NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“I am deeply disappointed that the Judiciary Committee chose to move forward with this bill. SB 12 is not about defending the rights of responsible gun owners – it’s about dismantling a longstanding law that has helped keep New Hampshire residents safe for nearly a century. Our law enforcement community is on the front lines working to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people each and every day and doing away with the concealed carry permit requirement makes zero sense. If this bill were to be enacted, law enforcement will no longer have the opportunity to deny permits to people they know are dangerous or can’t legally have guns at all. This bill would make our communities less safe by making it easier for people who shouldn’t have firearms to carry hidden, loaded weapons in public. That is simply not the right way to keep Granite State communities safe from gun violence. I urge our state senators to defeat this deeply troubling legislation.”