Joined By Senator Debra Altschiller, Volunteers with New Hampshire Chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Rally for Gun Safety in Concord 

CONCORD, NH. — Today, volunteers and survivors with the New Hampshire chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, gathered for their annual Advocacy Day at the statehouse to meet with lawmakers and advocate for stronger gun safety measures in New Hampshire. Volunteers were joined by gun sense lawmakers, advocates and survivors, including Senator Debra Altschiller, Former Mayor of Manchester Joyce Craig, Executive Council Member Cinde Warmington, and Concord School Board Member Liz Boucher. 

“Today we demonstrated to our lawmakers that we will continue to advocate for stronger gun violence prevention measures in New Hampshire – we know a safer future for our communities is possible,” said Kathleen Slover, a volunteer with the New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’re grateful to our gun sense champions who have continued to introduce gun safety bills despite resistance from the majority of our lawmakers, and we will be back to support them next year. With the 2024 elections just over six months away, we’re prepared to elect more lawmakers who will put our safety first.” 

Volunteers spent this legislative session advocating for measures including full background checks for all firearm sales between private individuals, a 72-hour waiting period before a person can take possession of a firearm after purchasing it, and a Red Flag law to keep guns out of the hands of those in crisis. All of these measures failed to pass in their chambers of origin, preventing New Hampshire from strengthening its gun violence prevention laws. Many of these bills failed for the second year this year, after lawmakers blocked the passage of several gun safety bills last year including background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and a prohibition on guns in schools. 

New Hampshire has weak firearms laws compared to most other neighboring states, ranking 39th in the country for the strength of its gun laws. In an average year, 141 people die by guns and another 133 are wounded. Gun violence costs New Hampshire $2.2 billion each year, of which $22.4 million is paid by taxpayers. 88% of gun deaths are suicides in New Hampshire. More information about gun violence in New Hampshire is available here. 

To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.