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HB 1793 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Studying guns on college campuses

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of certain weapons on campus and establishing a committee to study the feasibility of allowing guns on campuses of public institutions of higher education.

Bars public colleges and universities from restricting non-lethal weapons on campus or firearms carried by faculty, and creates a legislative committee to study allowing broader campus firearm carry.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Prohibits public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus. II. Allows persons aggrieved by public colleges or universities that implement such regulations to sue such institutions for damages and injunctive relief.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Samuel FarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Valerie McDonnellR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

875 signed in online · 383 wrote testimony

26% support73% oppose0% neutral

ForConstitutional rights should not stop at the campus gate

AgainstMore guns on campus would make it less safe, not more

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am a member of UNH Class of 1979. I support this bill so I won’t be arrested for attending alumni activities while carting a firearm.”
— James Scamman, Strathamsupports
“When will people learn that no gun zones are a invitation for mass killings. This bill needs to be passed”
— Bradley Louth, Hamptonsupports
“I like preventing federal overreach and maintaining and strengthening support for the NH constitution. These are lessons that need taught to all citizens. Where better than schools themselves?”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“The worst thing you can do in keeping our children safe is to arm them. Educational spaces, whether they are primary school, secondary school or colleges are supposed to be safe. Educational learning spaces, not armed weaponized spaces, allowing the que guns on campus.…”
— Stacey Edgar, Goffstownopposes
“State agencies should NOT be silenced regarding issues pertaining to vaccines. The Public Health department needs to be able to educate and communicate risks and benefits of many things, with vaccines being crucial to the health of everyone in this state.…”
— Rachel Laramee, Portsmouthopposes
“I am deeply worried about the impact of adding armed civilians to our campus communities when our campus police officers face life or death decisions to protect the safety of all.”
— ELISSA Davis, Meredithopposes
“I support the overall message of this bill however - the language changes from citizen to student. Does this right belong to foreign exchange students? Students from outside NH? Do they need a permit if they are from elsewhere?…”
— Megan Schmitt, CONCORDneutral

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
  • 2026-04-141:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Jan 14, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/14/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 5 P. 20
  5. Jan 22, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 188-165 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 27
  7. Feb 5, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 29
  8. Feb 5, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 57
  9. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 4
  10. Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 13
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1775s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  12. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  13. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1775s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18
  14. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1775s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2026-1882s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  16. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1882s, RC 14Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1882s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  18. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Paquette, Osborne 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  19. May 21, 2026SenSen. Gannon Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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