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HB 1244 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Self-defense exception to criminal threatening

AI-generated

relative to exceptions to the charge of criminal threatening.

Exempts a person from a criminal threatening charge when they display a firearm or other means of self-defense to warn away someone criminally trespassing or threatening property damage, serious injury, or death.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill adds an additional exception to when a person shall not have been deemed to commit the offense of criminal threatening to include certain actions in response to a person criminally trespassing that may result in property damage or threat of serious bodily injury or death.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Samuel FarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Yury PolozovR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

180 signed in online · 148 wrote testimony

87% support13% oppose0% neutral

ForProtects lawful self-defense speech and constitutional rights

AgainstWould legitimize threats or force to defend property without imminent danger

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing to express my support for HB 1244 and to urge you to vote Ought to Pass. I see this bill as an important clarification in how criminal threatening statutes are applied.…”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefieldsupports
“I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges.…”
— Brendan Rainville, Plaistowsupports
“I strongly oppose this bill. This is the type of thing that gets people killed.”
— Michelle Moge, Derryopposes
“Lethal force shouldn't be sanctioned in the defense of property absent imminent personal harm.”
— Gregory Davis, Salemopposes
“You should NOT be able to shoot someone unless your life or your families life is in danger. Trespassing alone isn't an imminent threat”
— DONNA CUSICK, Hudsonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2910:00 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. 12
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 03:00 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2026 03:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 9 P. 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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