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HB 207 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Minors barred from blackjacks and brass knuckles

AI-generated

relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors.

Amends the prohibition against carrying or selling a blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles to instead prohibit their sale to or possession by persons under 18 years of age.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill amends the prohibition against carrying or selling a blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles to prohibit sale to or possession of the said items by those under 18 years of age.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any person under the age of 18 who carries on his or her person any blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles shall be guilty of a violation; and such weapon or articles so carried by such a person shall be forfeited to the state.”
RSA 159:16
“Any person who sells, delivers, or otherwise transfers any blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles to a person under the age of 18 shall be guilty of a violation.”
RSA 159:16

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jordan UleryRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Jess EdwardsR

Public testimony

106 signed in online · 13 wrote testimony

18% support82% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I don't see myself going out and buying anything, but it's absurd that these are illegal.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“The objects (actually "tools") sought to be banned are all normal objects possessed by many citizens. These items are non-lethal objects or tools which can be used for self-defense.…”
— Matthew Tyszka, Newportsupports
“Adult should not be restricted on the kinds of tools they choose to use to protect themselves. Period.”
— Jana Mackay, Orangesupports
“There is no reason any law abiding citizen needs any of these weapons.”
— Bryan Field, PETERBOROUGHopposes
“The system is working. Children should not be seduced into marriage before they are old enough to understand what it means.”
— Susan Almy, Lebanonopposes
“Why do we need these other than for violent use. I oppose this bill.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 30, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass8–7
    Overall
    53% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted207–162How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    200–697% yea
    Democrats
    7–1564% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:08:03–1:13:465m 43slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:11:04–3:18:287m 24slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 207-162
  • Apr 10, 2025Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:19:02–1:20:091m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Pending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; Special Order to — adopted

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 10
  2. Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:30 am LOB 202-204
  4. Jan 30, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/30/2025 (Vote 8-7; RC) HC 12 P. 14
  5. Feb 11, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 207-162 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 31
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Apr 10, 2025SenHearing: 04/10/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 16
  9. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 19
  10. May 8, 2025SenSpecial Order to 05/08/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/01/2025 SJ 11
  11. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/08/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 20
  12. May 8, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. May 8, 2025SenPending Motion Inexpedient to Legislate; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  14. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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