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HB 1697 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

NH-made firearms federal exemption

AI-generated

exempting certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in New Hampshire from federal regulation.

Exempts certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained within New Hampshire from federal regulation.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill exempts certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in New Hampshire from federal regulation.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. James SpillaneRChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Kristine PerezR

Public testimony

205 signed in online · 43 wrote testimony

12% support88% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NH needs to protect its citizens from Federal over reach. Pass this bill please.”
— Bradley Louth, Hamptonsupports
“Exempting firearms and ammo from federal overreach and maintaining and strengthening support for the NH constitution is a fine way to start the day. Might we extend this narrow window for firearms to include ALL of federal overreach? The center cannot hold.”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“What is made here in NH, stays here in NH without federal regulation.”
— Rick Hiland, Albanysupports
“New Hampshire has very limited gun safety laws making it reliant on federal laws. Exempting any firearm from these laws would make our state and the rest of the country unsafe.”
— ELISSA Davis, Meredithopposes
“I oppose this bill. At a time when I have to talk myself out of the fear of sending my children to school I the morning, and I anxiously make sure we sit near an exit during a movie, given innumerable violent tragedies in this country, I feel reducing oversight of weapons unnecessarily increases risk of harm to our residents and most importantly our children.”
— Jessica Smith, Portsmouthopposes
“NH has very limited laws regulating guns (as seems to be required by the 2nd Amendment), NH has no universal background checks, no required waiting periods, and limited licensing requirements. This makes New Hampshire reliant on federal laws.…”
— Nancy Brown, Hopkintonopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-101:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 32
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  4. Jan 14, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/14/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 5 P. 20
  5. Jan 27, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 188-164 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 24
  7. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 4
  8. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 9
  9. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 04/09/2026; SC 13
  10. Apr 9, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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