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HB 56 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Background checks for private gun sales

AI-generated

requiring a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers.

Requires most private firearm transfers to be processed through a licensed firearms dealer, who must conduct a criminal background check and observe a waiting period before completing the transfer, subject to certain exceptions.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 20, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires firearm transfers to be subject to a criminal background check and a mandatory waiting period, subject to certain exceptions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jaci GroteDDemocratic Advisor
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Marjorie SmithDRanking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Christine SeibertDRanking Member· State, Federal, and Veterans Affairs

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Loren SeligD, Rep. Suzanne VailD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

385 signed in online · 103 wrote testimony

78% support22% oppose0% neutral

ForRequiring licensed-dealer sales/background checks closes loopholes

AgainstBackground checks are already federally required

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Dr. Maria Boylan and I’m a family medicine physician. I am writing today on behalf of the New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicians in strong support of HB56 which will require a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers.…”
— Maria Boylan, New Boston · The New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicianssupports
“Must put lives of children and the public above profits from gun sales”
— Amy Feitelson, Ryesupports
“All firearm sales, trades, or transfers should be processed by a licensed firearms dealer ensuring all firearm transfers have a background check in order to protect the citizens of NH.”
— Anne Grossi, Bedfordsupports
“This bill is ludicrous on its face and makes NH residents less safe. How you ask?…”
— Roy Sargent, Concordopposes
“NH already has a background check and should not restrict citizens right to self defense by having a waiting period. I strongly oppose this bill and any infringements on the second amendment.”
— Peter Columbia, New Hamptonopposes
“No waiting period ever. A background check is relatively fast and nothing else should ever limit our 2nd Amendment rights!”
— Ken Goodall, West Ossipeeopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-3010:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 4
  2. Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  4. Jan 30, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/30/2025 (Vote 8-7; RC) HC 12 P. 14
  5. Feb 10, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 216-154 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 25

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.