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HB 1240 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Felony for threatening with a weapon

AI-generated

relative to the apparent use of a deadly weapon during the offense of criminal threatening.

Elevates criminal threatening to a class B felony when the offender uses, or appears to use, a deadly weapon during certain violations of the criminal threatening statute.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill makes it a class B felony to violate certain provisions of the criminal threatening statute while using what reasonably appears to the victim to be a deadly weapon. This bill is a request of the county attorneys.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Terry RoyRPrimeChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Ricky DevoidR, Rep. Richard LascellesR, Rep. Kathleen PaquetteR

Public testimony

162 signed in online · 152 wrote testimony

0% support100% oppose0% neutral

AgainstVague "apparent use of a deadly weapon" standard risks self-defense, gives prosecutors too much discretion

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing to ask that you vote Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1240. I want to explain my concern with this bill thoughtfully, because it raises questions about how criminal threatening laws interact with lawful self defense and constitutionally protected conduct.…”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefieldopposes
“Horrible bill to take a victims word that he THOUGHT an object was a deadly weapon. This has nothing to do with behavior and everything to do with victims THOUGHTS to create a new felony. The victim obviously has animus and is sure to use it in getting even.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“Lowers burden of proof and increases risk of wrongful charges; expands prosecutorial discretion.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes

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
  • 2026-03-311:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public 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 02:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 02:30 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 32
  5. Mar 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 170-162 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 77
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Mar 31, 2026Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:25 pm; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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