It’s official: New Hampshire is now the 12th state in the country to allow constitutional carry. Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 12 into law yesterday, which does away with the need for a permit in order to carry a concealed pistol or revolver in the Granite State, unless a person is otherwise prohibited. Should you choose to get a license, it’s now valid for five years instead of four.
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“SB 12 ensures New Hampshire citizens are guaranteed the fundamental right to carry a firearm in defense of themselves and their families, as prescribed by Article 2a of our state constitution,” Governor Sununu said in a statement. “This common sense legislation aligns our concealed carry laws with that of our neighboring states of Vermont and Maine and states across the country. This is about safety. This is about making sure that the laws on our books are keeping people safe while remaining true to the Live Free or Die spirit that makes New Hampshire the great state that it is. This is a commitment I made to the people of New Hampshire and I am proud today to fulfill that commitment, signing SB12 into law.”
Chris Cox, the executive director for the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, praised the signing of SB 12 as a victory for gun rights.
“New Hampshire now joins an ever-growing number of states in passing constitutional carry,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Despite the best efforts of Michael Bloomberg-funded groups to distort the truth, the New Hampshire legislature and governor stood strong for freedom.”
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As the Daily Caller points out, New Hampshire already allows permitless open carry. SB 12 extends that right to concealed carry as well.
New Hampshire joins Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming as states that allow constitutional carry. Montana allows constitutional carry outside of city limits.