New Hampshire lacks many basic gun safety protections, and in fact has weakened its gun laws in recent years—state lawmakers must reverse this deadly trend.
New Hampshire has not passed any meaningful gun safety laws in years, and recently enacted a law that allows people to carry loaded, hidden handguns in public without a background check or permit. In 2022, New Hampshire had the ninth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 143 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every 61 hours. Eighty-eight percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 9% are gun homicides. In New Hampshire, the rate of gun deaths increased 57% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nationwide.
What New Hampshire Does Well
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Child access prevention laws
- State database background checks for handguns
- Certain disarming procedures
- Handgun dealer regulation
What New Hampshire Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE NEW HAMPSHIRE’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
SUPPORT GUN SAFETY
We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
