Firearm Information

Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare

Chapter 159 - Pistols and Revolvers

159:4 Carrying without a License -Repealed.

Source. 1923, 118:4. Place 149:4. RL 179:4. 1951, 151:1. RSA 159:4. 1967, 220:3. 1973, 528:84. 1994, 48:1, eff. January 1, 1995, eff February 22, 2017.

159:6 License to Carry. - (In Part)

I.(a) The selectmen of a town, the mayor or chief of police of a city or a full-time police officer designated by them respectively, the county sheriff for a resident of an unincorporated place, or the county sheriff if designated by the selectmen of a town that has no police chief, upon application of any resident of such town, city, or unincorporated place, or the director of state police, or some person designated by such director, upon application of a nonresident, shall issue a license to such applicant authorizing the applicant to carry a loaded pistol or revolver in this state for not less than 5 years from the date of issue, if it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to the applicant's person or property or has any proper purpose, unless the applicant is prohibited by New Hampshire or federal statute from possessing a firearm. Hunting, target shooting, or self-defense shall be considered a proper purpose.

II. No photograph or fingerprint shall be required or used as a basis to grant, deny, or renew a license to carry for a resident or nonresident, unless requested by the applicant.

159:6-a Confidentiality of Licenses. (In Part)

…all papers and records, including applications, pertaining to the issuance of licenses pursuant to RSA 159:6 and all licenses issued … are subject to inspection only by law enforcement officials of the state or any political subdivision thereof or of the federal government … or upon written consent, for good cause shown, of the superior court in the county where said license was issued.

References in the NH State Constitution, Bill of Rights

[Art.] 2. [Natural Rights.] All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights - among which are enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting, property; and, in a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this state on account of race, creed, color, sex or national origin.

[Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.

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