Bill aims to loosen NH firearms regulations

Gun rights will take center stage at the New Hampshire Statehouse on Thursday when Second Amendment backers push a bill that would loosen firearms regulations.

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The state requires a permit for people to carry concealed pistols or revolvers. A bill sponsored by state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, would eliminate that requirement.

Supporters called the bill a common-sense change, but opponents said the change would hurt public safety.

The hearing is expected to draw a crowd.

This is actually a very simple change that would allow somebody to be able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit the same way that anybody today can carry openly any weapon theyre legally entitled to own, Bradley said.

Gun rights activists are quick to point out the bill does not alter what the law says about who can own a gun.

We havent changed anything. If youre not qualified to own a gun, you still cant own a gun and you still cant carry it concealed. So we havent changed anything other than to say that we know who you are, youre a good guy, why should you need to ask somebodys permission to do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family, said Bob Clegg, president of Pro-Gun New Hampshire.

Second Amendment backers have complained about the two weeks it can take to get a permit, but opponents of the bill said the process works well and is not overly restrictive.

New Hampshire is very lenient to begin with. For example, we dont have any restrictions on where you can carry a concealed weapon political events, bars, sports events, where tempers may run high, said Zandra Rice Hawkins of Granite State Progress.

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Bill aims to loosen NH firearms regulations