Statement from ARS & Members Of The Granite State Coalition For Common Sense On New Hampshire’s Permitless Carry Bill
February 22, 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 members of the Granite State Coalition for Common Sense, issued the below statement today on the signing of SB 12, a dangerous bill that repeals New Hampshire’s concealed carry permitting system, which has been in place for nearly a century, and makes it easier for dangerous, unsuitable individuals to carry loaded, concealed weapons in public.
“In order to keep guns out of dangerous hands and make our communities safer, law enforcement officials need the best tools and resources available. This bill will make it harder for law enforcement to prevent criminals who are engaged in criminal activity from obtaining concealed carry permits,” said Officer Bill Barry, Advisory Committee member of Granite State Coalition for Common Sense. “I’m extremely disappointed that our leaders voted to put the interests of gun lobby ahead of Granite Staters’ safety.”
“As a former law enforcement officer and prosecutor, I support responsible gun laws, but SB 12 moves New Hampshire in the opposite direction. This bill will eliminate the state’s longstanding permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands,” said Police Commissioner Joseph Plaia, of Portsmouth, Advisory Committee member of Granite State Coalition for Common Sense. “This bill goes against the advice of law enforcement and makes New Hampshire’s communities less safe.”
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 ]