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HB 1203 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Returning firearms after acquittal

AI-generated

relative to the return of firearms following a not guilty verdict or dismissal of the proceeding.

Requires courts to immediately order the return of seized firearms or ammunition, without a background check, when a criminal case ends in a not-guilty verdict or is discontinued, and requires law enforcement to return the property within 24 hours.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires that in criminal prosecutions that result in not guilty verdicts or that are discontinued, the court shall immediately order for the return of any seized firearms or ammunition and that the law enforcement agency shall return the property within 24 hours.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bryan MorseRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Rep. David LoveR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

97 signed in online · 84 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

ForFirearms and rights should be restored promptly

AgainstBill creates bureaucratic hurdles to firearm return

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thank you Chairman and Committee members, My name is Rep David Love, I am a co sponsor of this legislation.…”
— David Love, Derry · Rockingham 13supports
“I strongly oppose HB 1203-FN. This bill undermines judicial discretion by limiting a judge’s ability to require a background check before firearms are returned following a dismissal or not-guilty verdict.…”
— Meg Cowan, Wilmotopposes
“I OPPOSE this bill as written. Law abiding citizens should not be required to petition a judge for the return of their legally owned property. It should be required that the property is automatically returned in a timely manner.”
— Chris Lemos, Freedomopposes
“I am writing to urge you to OPPOSE HB 1203, which creates dangerous restrictions on the return of firearms following not guilty verdicts or case dismissals.…”
— David Davis, North Haverhillopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 10
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 7 P. 6
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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