Americans for Responsible Solutions & New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officials Call on Lawmakers to Oppose Dangerous Permitless Carry Bill
February 1, 2017– Americans for Responsible Solutions, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, and New Hampshire law enforcement officials on the Advisory Board of the Granite State Coalition for Common Sense today called on lawmakers to oppose a dangerous new bill that would make Granite State communities less safe. The bill, SB 12, would repeal New Hampshire’s concealed carry permitting system, which has been in place for nearly a century, and would allow dangerous, “unsuitable” individuals to carry loaded, concealed weapons in public.
“As a Marine Corps Veteran, a former law enforcement officer, a current police commissioner, and attorney, I know how trained, responsible people use firearms, and I have seen what can happen when guns fall into the hands of dangerous people who want to threaten our communities,” said Police Commissioner Joseph Plaia, of Portsmouth. “I have helped responsible gun owners navigate the background check and permitting system in New Hampshire so they could lawfully obtain and carry firearms. SB 12 would destroy New Hampshire’s existing permitting system, make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs, make it easier for dangerous weapons to fall into the wrong hands, and result in our communities being less safe.”
“Right now, New Hampshire law enforcement officials have the power to prevent individuals who are engaged in ongoing criminal activity from obtaining concealed carry permits. Our officials know our communities best, and this dangerous bill would make it harder for law enforcement to prevent dangerous people from getting guns,” said Officer Bill Barry, of Auburn. “I urge our lawmakers in Concord to listen to the law enforcement community and reject this irresponsible bill.”
“In the face of a gun violence crisis that claims 33,000 American lives every year, New Hampshire lawmakers are considering passing an extreme bill that would make it easier for dangerous people to carry loaded, concealed weapons in public,” said Robin Lloyd, Government Affairs Director, Americans for Responsible Solutions. “Under current law, local law enforcement have the power to deny concealed carry permits to unsuitable individuals that pose a potential danger to the public. By eliminating the state’s existing permitting system, which has been in place for nearly a century, law enforcement would be unable to make those important determinations that help keep guns out of the wrong hands and save lives.”
ABOUT SB 12
Senate Bill 12, would make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs, and make our communities less safe. The bill would:
- Repeal New Hampshire’s concealed carry weapons permit system which has been in place for the last 94 years.
- Increase the validity of a concealed carry weapons permit from 4 to 5 years.
- Require state police to try to negotiate reciprocity agreements with other states every 5 years.
ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Between 2001 and 2010, 873 people were killed with guns in the Granite State. [ Center for American Progress & Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2014 ]
Someone is killed with a gun in New Hampshire every three days. [ Center for American Progress & Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2014 ]
Half of all domestic violence-related deaths in New Hampshire involve a firearm. According to the New Hampshire Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, more than 50 percent of all homicides from 2000 to 2010 were cases of domestic violence involving family members or intimate partners. Almost half—48 percent—of these victims of domestic violence were killed with guns. [ Center for American Progress & Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2014 ]