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HB 1049 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Safe firearm storage requirements

AI-generated

relative to storage requirements for firearms.

Requires firearms to be securely stored to prevent access by minors and unauthorized users, mandates that a locking safety device accompany firearm sales, and expands criminal penalties for negligent firearm storage.AI-generated

Status

Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires firearms to be securely stored when not in use to prevent unauthorized access by minors. It also requires that a locking safety device accompany all private and commercial firearms transactions and expands the criminal penalties for negligent storage of firearms.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Christine SeibertDRanking Member· State, Federal, and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Marjorie SmithDRanking Member· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Timothy HorriganD, Rep. Loren SeligD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

384 signed in online · 192 wrote testimony

54% support46% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral common-sense public safety measure

AgainstUnconstitutional interference with immediate self-defense access

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Firearm owners need to be responsible and that includes securely storing firearms. There are too many horrific stories of young children getting a firearm and accidentally killing or harming someone else.…”
— Kathleen McGowan, Lymesupports
“Mandating proper storage of guns and ammunition can not only prevent accidental shootings, but make it more difficult for someone to seek to shoot someone in a moment of rage, when they really did not mean any harm.”
— Betty Lane, Doversupports
“Safe, secure storage keeps every one safe. NH has the opportunity to serve as a model of wha responsible gun ownership looks like.”
— Tracey Saunders, Lymesupports
“This is a family issue and not a state government issue requiring legislation.”
— James Gardner, Keeneopposes
“I am respectfully requesting that you oppose bill HB1049, for the following reasons: - The bill unfairly criminalizes good people for accidents or actions they did not commit.…”
— Teresa Brooks, Manchesteropposes
“I am writing to ask that you vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1049, which would impose government mandated storage requirements for firearms. I understand the intent behind this bill and the desire to promote safety.…”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefieldopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2810:00 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. 4
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 11, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 78
  5. Feb 24, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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