Pro-Gun New Hampshire

[Posted January 14, 2010, at 10:00 p.m.]  At today's hearing of testimony on HB 1201 before the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee, Attorney Evan Nappen, the Corporate Counsel of Pro-Gun New Hampshire, was the only representative of a gun-rights group to present testimony on HB 1201.

This bill would add muzzle-loading firearms to the prohibitions of RSA 207:7, which prohibits carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle.  Here is Attorney Nappen's testimony:

[Posted January 14, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.]  

The following bills of interest are coming up for public hearings in the next few days in the Legislative Office Building (LOB), behind the State House.  Call your state representatives and senator; you can find them through http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx .

TUESDAY January 19, 2010. in LOB Room 204 (Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee):

At 10:00 a.m.: HB 1161 -- would repeal RSA 159:8, which requires a town license to sell pistols or revolvers at retail.  We support this bill.  Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1161.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2302&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1161&q=1 (docket).

At 10:30 a.m.: HB 1447 -- modifies the "compact area" statute, RSA 644:13, making it easier to legally shoot in certain places.  We support this bill.  Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1447.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2028&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1447&q=1 (docket).

At 11:00 a.m.:  HB 1433 -- one of the two Firearms Freedom Act bills.  PGNH is not taking a position on this bill.   Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1433.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2351&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1433&q=1 (docket).

WEDNESDAY January 20, 2010. in LOB Room 205-307 (Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee):

At 9:30 a.m.:  HB 1285 -- the other Firearms Freedom Act bill.  PGNH is not taking a position on this bill.  Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1285.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2014&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1285&q=1 (docket).

Also, mark your calendar for Thursday, January 28, at 11:30 a.m.:  The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hear testimony, in LOB 204, on HB 1665, the Knife Rights Bill written about elsewhere on this website -- http://pgnh.orgprotecting_your_knife_rights_by_representative_jennifer_coffey .  This is an important bill, and we urge you to testify in its favor.   Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1665.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2015&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1665&q=1 (docket).

By State Representative Jenn Coffey, January 6, 2010

The lessons of history are still not yet learned by the NH Legislature. With the creation of a ban on tools of self-defense by the Joint Facilities Committee it has become painfully obvious that some of the members of the New Hampshire Legislature have yet to learn from history.

Think of all the horrific acts that have been perpetrated on the law abiding citizens of our great nation. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Luby's Cafe, and the list goes on. Each of these places have one thing in common, they were all "gun free zones."

It seems to elude many that when you announce to the world you are creating a "gun free zone" you are in fact creating a Killing Zone - a place a criminal knows no one will shoot back; no one will be able to stop them from their crazed plan.

[Posted January 1, 2010, at 10:20 p.m.]  There are two very dangerous bills scheduled for public hearings in Concord on Monday, January 11, starting at 1:00 p.m.:

HB 1635 would ban open carry of firearms and knives in a "public building," including buildings or "places" used by the state, cities/towns, and UNH. 

HB 1654 would ban carrying firearms and knives, "whether open or concealed or whether licensed or unlicensed" in the State House and LOB (Legislative Office Building, where most public hearings are held); violation would be a FELONY.  The bill calls for metal detectors and gun safes at the State House and LOB. 

[Posted December 21, 2009, at 9:00 p.m.]  This morning the NH legislature's Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities just voted to prohibit the carrying of firearms in the State House complex, which includes the State House, Legislative Office Building, and the Upham Walker House.  This committee has authority to make rules, so this is not coming up for a full House or Senate vote -- it's a done deal.  There was no real opportunity for the public to express their opinion.  In fact, the proposal was not even on the committee agenda, and one member, not notified of the vote, had to leave early.  The vote was eight to three, on party lines.  Rep. Dan Eaton, a member of the Pro-Gun New Hampshire Council of Advisors, voted for the ban; the PGNH Board of Directors is considering what to do about that. [Update 12/22/09:  We're hearing that Dan Eaton was absent on that vote, and that an alternate member, Democratic Rep. Gary Richardson of Hopkinton, voted in his place.  We're investigating, and will follow up on this website.] [Update 12/23/09:  Dan Eaton was absent for the committee vote.  In an article published by the Concord Monitor, he said he would have voted AGAINST the rule.  See http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091223/NEWS01/912230341&template=single]

By E. F. Nappen, Attorney at Law

 

[Posted December 14, 2009, at 7:45 p.m.]  HB 1201 has been filed at the request the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bulis, Graf 1; Rep. L'Heureux, Hills 19; Rep. McKinney, Rock 3; Rep. Rogers, Straf 1; and Rep. Porter, Merr 8.

The bill falsely claims to add loaded muzzle-loading firearms to "the provisions prohibiting hunting from a motor vehicle, OHRV, snowmobile, boat, or aircraft." The reality is, "Hunting ain't got nothing to do with it!"

[Posted December 8, 2009, at 10:40 a.m.]  Dick Riley, one of the great names in the gun world, passed away yesterday, December 7, 2009.  In 1953 he opened Riley's Sport Shop in Hooksett, now the largest gun store in New Hampshire.  He was the founder and first president of Gun Owners of New Hampshire, and served as President of the NRA from 1990 to 1992.  He will be missed.

[Posted December 6, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.]  Pro-Gun New Hampshire (PGNH) is an all-volunteer organization, and sometimes a volunteer makes a huge difference.  In this case, we owe a large debt to PGNH member Scott Finman.  Last year, Scott bought property in Tamworth, New Hampshire, and built a house there.  But he was surprised to find an anti-gun mentality among the selectmen of this small northern town in the Live Free or Die state.  Last summer he discovered that the town's personnel policies prohibited town employees from carrying firearms on town property - in violation of state law.  Scott wasn't the only one incensed at this illegal action; the town's firefighters objected as well. 

Scott notified the PGNH Board in August, and both Bick Bicknell, PGNH President, and Sam Cohen, PGNH Executive Vice President, wrote to the town selectmen, notifying them that the "no-guns" policy violated state law, RSA 159:26.  (Bick had been responsible for passing this law in 2003; it specifies that only the state legislature, not towns or cities, can regulate guns and ammunition.)  Both letters were sent on PGNH stationery, which lists the Board of Directors and the Council of Advisors in a sidebar.  Sam's letter included copies to the town police chief, the state attorney general, and Earl Sweeney, Assistant Commissioner of the state's Department of Safety (and a PGNH Advisor). 

By Sam Cohen, Executive Vice President

[Posted October 26, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.]  Until recently, the Londonderry, NH police department website instructed applicants for a License to Carry (concealed) that a picture ID was required (the law says no photographs or fingerprints may be demanded), that the license would be issued within 14 business days (the law specifies a maximum of 14 days, not business days), and that there was a ten dollar fee to apply (the law says the ten dollar fee is for the license, not for the application process).  Representative Jenn Coffey, an Advisor of Pro-Gun New Hampshire, also reported that they required applications to be filed in person and disallowed filing by mail.

[Posted October 23, 2009, at 7:45 p.m.] 

Introduction by Sam Cohen, Executive Vice President, Pro-Gun New Hampshire, Inc.:

Jennifer Coffey is a New Hampshire state representative; the National Coordinator, and a Director, of Second Amendment Sisters; a hospital staffer and EMT; and a member of the Pro-Gun New Hampshire Council of Advisors.  She has submitted a bill in the New Hampshire legislature (LSR 2010-2015 - no bill number assigned as of yet) to both legalize the carrying of automatic and other knives and enhance the criminal penalty for their use in a crime.  Attorney Evan Nappen, PGNH General Counsel, is a knife collector and author of many articles in various knife magazines; he helped develop the bill.