HB 609-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

7Jan2026... 0019h

05/14/2026   1987s

2025 SESSION

25-0889

11/09

HOUSE BILL 609-FN

AN ACT relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools.

SPONSORS: Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. DeVito, Rock. 8; Rep. Drew, Hills. 19; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. McFarlane, Graf. 18; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill provides that the state has authority and jurisdiction over the regulation of firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools, to the extent consistent with federal law, and exclusive authority and jurisdiction to make laws and delegate authority to adopt rules regarding the same by state employees or on state property.  This bill also provides that no rule, regulation, or policy adopted or instituted by an executive branch agency regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting or other matters relating to firearms, firearm component, ammunition firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property shall continue or remain in effect after July 1, 2029, unless renewed or re-adopted.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

7Jan2026... 0019h

05/14/2026   1987s 25-0889

11/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State.  Amend RSA 159:26 to read as follows:

159:26 Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State.

I. To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, [or] knives, or other self-defense tools in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms or knives businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.

I-a.  To the extent consistent with federal law, the general court of New Hampshire shall have exclusive authority and jurisdiction to make laws and delegate authority to adopt rules, regulations, and policies regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, or other matters relating to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property.

I-b.  All rules, regulations, and policies adopted under any authority delegated by the general court pursuant to this section shall be adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.

I-c.  No rule, regulation, or policy adopted or instituted by an executive branch agency regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, or other matters relating to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property, shall continue or remain in effect after July 1, 2029, unless renewed or re-adopted pursuant to this section.

II.  Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I relative to the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, [or] knives, or other self-defense tools shall be null and void.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA

25-0889

1/13/26

HB 609-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0019h)

AN ACT relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools.

FISCAL IMPACT:   This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

METHODOLOGY:

This bill stipulates that the General Court will take over authority and jurisdiction for regulating firearms, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools.

The Legislative Branch notes that regulation is ongoing within the Executive Branch.  However, the fiscal impact remains indeterminate, as the General Court has not detailed a specific plan for implementing this operation.

The Department of Safety (DOS) has indicated that the bill will have minimal to no impact on its Division for State Police, as it neither generates new demands nor depletes existing resources from the DOS.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Safety and Legislative Branch