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By Jacquelyn Benson
The Granite State took a step closer to the gun rights ideal of “Constitutional Carry” last week when the House passed SB 116, a bill that would allow residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. However, Gov. Maggie Hassan stated that she planned to veto the bill. In light of the controversy, the Live Free or Die Alliance (LFDA) put the issue to its Facebook members, who number over 50,000.
In response to the question, “Do you agree with Gov. Hassan's plan to keep concealed carry licenses in New Hampshire?”, 78% of those giving a direct answer expressed opposition to the planned veto, with only 22% in favor. An additional 30% of total commenters opted not to give a yes or no response, instead addressing their remarks to broader issues. In sum, the LFDA received 442 specific comments and 1573 concurrences for a total of 2015 citizen responses.
Those opposed to the proposed veto argued that the permit requirement only affected law-abiding citizens. “Why should I have to ‘ask’ for permission to carry a tool to defend myself or others from harm?” one commenter wrote. “Licensing solves nothing and only interferes with every individual’s right to arms,” another argued. “If [Hassan] vetoes the bill she is violating both the NH and US constitution,” a third respondent said.
Supporters of a veto countered that there was no need to do away with the permit requirement. “Concealed carry permits in this state are very easy to get for law-abiding citizens,” one commenter noted. “I'm pretty sure the majority of NH citizens have weighed in on this and want not only licenses maintained; but also background checks on people buying weapons. It's the NH House that isn't listening to the people,” another poster argued.
Respondents addressing their comments to broader issues discussed Hassan’s policies more generally, as well as posing more general questions about the permit issue. “Without having to obtain (pay for) a permit, will something like property or meal taxes rise?” one poster asked. “Since she has the veto power and since we don't have the numbers to override, this may be an excellent opportunity to compromise and define ‘suitable person’ and leave the permit but make it a true ‘shall issue’ unless prohibited by law,” another suggested.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 62,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an Editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org