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HB 700 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Restraining orders and gun surrender

AI-generated

relative to orders of protection.

Creates a new civil restraining order chapter and amends stalking protective orders so that, absent a specific request and court finding of necessity, a restrained person is not required to surrender firearms in non-domestic-violence cases, and requires petitioners to acknowledge perjury liability for false statements.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires certain individuals seeking certain orders of protection to be informed and to attest that they understand that material false statements made in the petition would be subject to prosecution for perjury. The bill also allows for individuals seeking certain orders of protection in non-domestic violence situations, to elect not to seek removal of firearms or deadly weapons from the possession of the restrained party.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Jose CambrilsR, Rep. Julius SotiR

Public testimony

588 signed in online · 127 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

ForRemoving weapons under protective orders reduces gun deaths

AgainstBill restricts judicial discretion to disarm stalkers

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Why are you going out of your way to make senseless changes to a stalking protection law when there are bigger issues to be taken on. Messing with this law is idiotic.”
— Susan Stevens, Altonsupports
“Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death in America. That problem is only worsening.…”
— Taylor Barry, Nashuasupports
“The Office of the Child Advocate has concerns about HB700 relative to orders of protection.…”
— Lissa Mascio, Concord · NH Office of the Child Advocateopposes
“This is written by people who don't believe stalking happens.…”
— Jennifer Suitter, Merrimackopposes
“Stalkers are incredibly dangerous people and should not be allowed access to weapons that may be used to intimidate or harm their victims in any way, shape, or form.”
— Elizabeth Rizzitano, Hennikeropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-079:30 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-1910:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 23
  2. Feb 7, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/07/2025 11:30 am LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Mar 19, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/19/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 10
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 15

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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