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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 non-lethal weapons on campus or firearms on campus by faculty and requires such institutions to enact rules, policies, and procedures regarding the prohibition. II. Establishes a committee to study campus carry and the possession, carrying, and storage of firearms on college campuses.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Non-lethal weapons" means pepper spray, mace, stun guns, Tasers, and other similar devices designed to incapacitate without causing fatal injury.”
RSA 159:28
“Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no public institution of higher education shall enact rules, policies, or similar prohibitions restricting the possession, carry, storage, or lawful use of non-lethal weapons on campus.”
RSA 159:29
“If any provision of this subdivision or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subdivision which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subdivision are declared to be severable.”
RSA 159:30
“"Public institution of higher education" means any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, law school, medical or dental school, or any institution of higher education in this state supported by public funds.”
RSA 159:28

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass7–6
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted188–165How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    188–398% yea
    Democrats
    0–1620% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1775s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1775s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1775sfailed
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2026-1882sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1882sAdopted14–8How they voted
    Overall
    64% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    14–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1882s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy)adopted
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:26:57–1:40:0113m 4slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:47:02–2:02:5615m 54slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 188-165; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • Apr 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary5:14:07–5:43:5629m 49slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1882s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Paquette, Osborne
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:25:34–1:32:006m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1775s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1882s — adopted, roll call 14-8; Committee Amendment # 2026-1775s — failed, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:28:39–3:31:122m 33slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Gannon Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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.