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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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
05/18/2026
HB 609-FN-
FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1987s)
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:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county
and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
None