Republicans already scored one victory in the firearms category: allowing concealed weapons back into the House Chamber. Now they are going for the second: a constitutional carry law that would mean you don’t have to get a state-issued license in order to carry a concealed gun.
“I would call it common sense legislation,” said Rep. JR Hoell, a Dunbarton Republican and co-sponsor of the bill. It’s “a plain Jane constitutional carry bill.”
New Hampshire is an open carry state, meaning if you can buy a gun you can carry it in the open. But if you want to carry a concealed firearm, you need a license that is issued by the local police or officials. This bill, sponsored by Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, would change that and effectively allow anyone who can legally own a gun to carry that firearm concealed.
“People have a Second Amendment right,” said Bradley, who does not own any guns. “We’re an open carry state already; I just don’t see why the distinction.”
The legislation, posted publicly just a few days ago, will get a hearing on Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Supporters are already rallying behind the legislation. The New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, which bills itself as the state’s “only no-compromise gun rights organization” sent an email to its listserv last week urging members to attend the hearing.
Bradley has heard from just one person, he said, a police chief who told him he will likely not be supporting the bill.
Hoell predicts the legislation will see widespread support and pass both Republican-controlled legislative chambers. “I expect the governor to sign it,” he said. “It protects women and the elderly.” Republican state Sen. David Boutin of Hooksett is a third sponsor on the bill.
It’s not the first time constitutional carry has come up at the State House. Bradley supported similar legislation in 2011, which ended up passing the House.
Second amendment rights typically haven’t been one of Bradley’s signature issues – which tend to focus on job growth or energy. So, is this a sign he is considering a future campaign for higher office?
“No. Don’t read anything into it,” Bradley said, after laughing for a solid five seconds. “I felt as majority leader I had a responsibility to do it.”
