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HB 551 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Repeal of pistol sale licensing

AI-generated

(New Title) repealing the license to sell pistols and revolvers and limiting liability for certain design features of firearms.

Repeals the local licensing requirement for selling pistols and revolvers and limits liability for firearm manufacturers and federal firearm licensees related to specific design features.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 27, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill repeals the local licensing requirement for the sale of pistols and revolvers. This bill further limits liability for firearm manufacturers and federal firearm licensees regarding specific design features.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“A law enforcement officer who issues a license in good faith under RSA 159:6 [or 159:8] shall be immune from liability resulting or arising from any action or misconduct with a firearm committed by any individual to whom a license to carry a firearm has been issued. 40:2 Firearm Purchase;”
RSA 159:6-g
“If a [licensee] person shall in any court be found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of RSA 159:8-a, such court, [shall,] for each such violation, [order the suspension of his license for a period of 3 months, and] may[, in addition,] impose a fine not in excess of $100. 40:5 Repeal.”
RSA 159:8-b
“In any product liability action involving a firearm, the manufacturer of the firearm and any federal firearms licensee (FFL) who sold or transferred the firearm shall not be liable in tort under any theory of defective product design, failure to warn, negligence, strict product liability, or any other claim based on the absence or presence of any of the following features:”
RSA 507-D:6
“The business shall be carried on only in the building designated in the license or at any organized sporting show or arms collectors' meeting sponsored by a chartered club or organization.”
RSA 159:6-g

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael GrangerRPrime

Rep. John SellersR

Public testimony

95 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

21% support79% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Fed law already covers this and there is no reason for it to be on our books.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“Firearms sales should not be restricted by government. Sales between private parties should be unregulated the same as sales of home appliances and tools are.…”
— Matthew Tyszka, Newportsupports
“Live Free or Die, once again, our State motto. We fought a bloody revolution and many Sons of Liberty died in our State for those Rights. The Founding Fathers would be appalled to see what has become of the United States.…”
— Jana Mackay, Orangesupports
“There is no reason to repeal the obligation of obtaining a license to sell a pistol or firearm. It will bring in revenue and be a way to assure the seller isn’t a criminal as well.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“It is crazy to repeal the license to sell pistols and revolvers. We require licensing to drive a car because of the potential danger to others.…”
— Melanie Nesheim, Holdernessopposes
“Guns are dangerous, and they should not be sold without a license”
— Devon Christen, Rochesteropposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety4:59:38–5:00:451m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:24:36–3:28:173m 41slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0818h; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0818h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0818h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 10, 2025Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:47:40–1:49:061m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1907s — adopted, roll call 16-8; Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-1907s — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateHouse floor55:10–57:302m 20slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1907s (Rep. Roy) — adopted, roll call 200-161; Reconsider Concur (Rep. Osborne) — failed, division 161-204; Enrolled

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 15
  2. Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 03:00 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 7, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 7, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0818h 03/07/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  5. Mar 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0818h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0818h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
  7. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 9
  8. Apr 10, 2025SenHearing: 04/10/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 16
  9. May 1, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 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: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 20
  12. May 8, 2025SenSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, AA; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  14. May 22, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1907s (Rep. Roy): MA RC 200-161 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 2
  15. May 22, 2025HouseReconsider Concur (Rep. Osborne): MF DV 161-204 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 20
  16. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 14
  17. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  18. May 23, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/23/2025; Chapter 40; eff. 05/23/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Concealed carryGun regulation

    Giffords Law Center — How permitting works across states after Bruen, and what applications may ask.AI-generated

  • New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. BruenLegal

    Oyez — The decision that reset what a state may require of a carry applicant.AI-generated

  • New Hampshire gun lawsGun rights

    NRA-ILA — The gun-rights account of New Hampshire licensing, including what a permit application may ask.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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