House Bill 609 would make the Legislature the sole firearms regulator — with damages for violations. Attorney General John Formella told lawmakers to vote no hours before the floor fight.
HB 609 would strip cities, counties, and state agencies of independent firearms rulemaking power. The Legislature alone would regulate sale, purchase, ownership, carry, licensing, and taxation of firearms and ammunition. Local charters, ordinances, and agency rules that exceed state statute would be void — with declaratory-judgment suits and minimum damages of $1,000 to $2,000 for violations.
Rep. Erica Layon called the conference product "the most pro-Second Amendment action that New Hampshire has taken since constitutional carry." Formella called himself a "strong Second Amendment supporter" but warned the bill's sunset of existing policies by 2029 could trigger a "surge of rulemaking" that might end pro-gun policies along with anti-gun ones.
The friction is intra-party. Gov. Kelly Ayotte has already clashed with conservatives on school and bathroom bills. A preemption win would align her with gun owners; a veto after Formella's letter would not.
Gun owners should watch the roll call Thursday. Preemption with teeth — damages, statewide uniformity, lawsuit rights — is how blue municipalities export bans when statehouses go red. New Hampshire is testing whether Republicans mean it or prefer AG warnings over constituent pressure.
"Formella says he supports gun rights. His letter says kill the preemption bill anyway."← More Stories
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