Tomorrow, February 8, the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hear several firearm bills, but two are most troubling for sportsmen. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. in room Reps Hall.
Anti-gun legislators repeatedly introduce legislation based on emotion and the appearance of “doing something,” and this set of anti-freedom measures are no different. These bills only restrict firearms and their use among the law-abiding, whether for protection, hunting or shooting. Anti-gun advocates have made it clear their real motivation behind legislation of this type is to – Restrict freedom without benefiting public safety.
House Bill 59 requires a background check prior to any commercial firearm sale. This check is already required by federal law. Apparently, gun control advocates think if New Hampshire has this duplicative law, then criminals will start following the law and New Hampshire will become a safer place.
As stated in the bill, “The general court believes this law will protect public safety by helping to keep firearms out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and those adjudicated to be mentally ill.”
Having a duplicate law on the books does nothing to improve public safety and is only a waste of time, instead of working on meaningful legislation to deter criminal activity.
House Bill 76 is yet another “wish list” item for anti-gun politicians who simply want to restrict our freedom and the exercise of our constitutional rights. HB 76 imposes a mandatory three-day waiting period for firearms purchase even after the purchasers passed the background check, with limited exceptions. There is no credible evidence that such restrictions reduce violent crime.
Please use our take action button to email the members of the committee urging them to oppose HB 59 and HB 76. Don’t forget to tell your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen about HB 59 and HB 76 and urge them to also take action.
Check out our legislative map if you are interested in knowing what other legislation the Sportsmen’s Alliance is monitoring in New Hampshire and around the nation.