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HB 609 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

State control over firearm regulation

AI-generated

relative to the general court's authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, and other matter pertaining to firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives and other self-defense tools.

Establishes that the general court holds exclusive authority to regulate firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools, and limits related executive branch rulemaking.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · June 4, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that the state has authority and jurisdiction over the regulation of firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools, to the extent consistent with federal law, and exclusive authority and jurisdiction to make laws and delegate authority to adopt rules regarding the same by state employees or on state property. This bill also provides that no rule, regulation, or policy adopted or instituted by an executive branch agency regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting or other matters relating to firearms, firearm component, ammunition firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property shall continue or remain in effect after July 1, 2029, unless renewed or re-adopted.

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

“To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, [or] knives, or other self-defense tools in the state.”
RSA 159:26
“Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state.”
RSA 159:26
“Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms or knives businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.”
RSA 159:26
“All rules, regulations, and policies adopted under any authority delegated by the general court pursuant to this section shall be adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.”
RSA 159:26

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

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Oct 22, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseRoll callFloor amendment 2026-0019h (Rep. Farrington)Adopted193–152How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    193–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–1520% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0019hAdopted193–151How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    192–199% yea
    Democrats
    1–1501% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1917s3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1917sfailed
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1987sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1987sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1987s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy)adopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateRoll callConference committee report 2026-2114cAdopted15–8How they voted
    Overall
    65% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    15–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Jun 4, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB609 on Table (Rep. Wilhelm)Adopted182–160How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    28–15815% yea
    Democrats
    154–299% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety5:59:28–6:06:407m 12slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety47:39–48:471m 8slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session; Retained in Committee
  • Oct 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety55:54–57:031m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; ==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session; ==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:06:14–1:12:236m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0019h — adopted, roll call 193-151; FLAM # 2026-0019h (Rep. Farrington) — adopted, roll call 193-152
  • Mar 10, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary24:51–54:1029m 19slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1987s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Paquette, Osborne
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor10:25:12–10:31:416m 29slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1917s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1987s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1917s — failed, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:23:34–1:29:295m 55slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2114c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2114c — roll call 15-8
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:24:31–4:28:574m 26slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB609 on Table (Rep. Wilhelm) — adopted, roll call 182-160

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Jan 30, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/30/2025 04:00 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  6. Oct 22, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session: 10/22/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  7. Oct 22, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session: 10/22/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
  8. Oct 22, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 10/22/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 51 P. 21
  9. Nov 13, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  10. Jan 7, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-0019h (Rep. Farrington): AA RC 193-152 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 87
  11. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0019h: MA RC 193-151 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 92
  12. Jan 29, 2026SenIntroduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  13. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 9
  14. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1917s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18A
  15. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1917s, AF, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  16. May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1987s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1987s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1987s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  19. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Paquette, Osborne 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  20. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  21. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  22. May 21, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Layon Replaces Rep. Osborne 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 32
  23. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  24. May 27, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Lang Replaces Senator Gannon; SJ 14
  25. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  26. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2114c; 06/04/2026
  27. May 21, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Simpson, Telerski, Sheehan, DeRoy, E. Kelly, Barton, Comtois, Selig, Newell, R. Newman) 05/21/2026 HJ 14
  28. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2114c; RC 15Y-8N, Adopted; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseLay HB609 on Table (Rep. Wilhelm): MA RC 182-160 06/04/2026 HJ 15

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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