New Hampshire Gun Laws

New Hampshire law expressly states that the availability of a license to carry does not prohibit unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm — in a vehicle or on or about one's person, openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded — by a resident, nonresident, or alien who is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in New Hampshire. Codified by SB 12 / Chapter 1 of the 2017 session laws, effective February 22, 2017.

"The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver under this section or under any other provision of law shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded."

RSA 159:6, III statute

SB 12 (Chapter 1 of the 2017 N.H. Laws), the act 'repealing the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver,' added RSA 159:6, III, extended the license-to-carry validity period from 4 to 5 years, repealed RSA 159:4 (license-required offense), and reenacted RSA 159:6-d on reciprocity. Approved and effective February 22, 2017.

"1:1 Pistols and Revolvers; License to Carry. Amend RSA 159:6 to read as follows... III. The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver... shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm... Approved: Feb 22, 2017. Effective Date: 2/22/2017."

2017 N.H. Laws, Chapter 1 (SB 12) statute

New Hampshire's optional Pistol/Revolver License (PRL) is issued by the selectmen of a town, the mayor or chief of police of a city, the county sheriff for unincorporated places, or — for nonresidents — by the director of state police. The license is valid for at least 5 years from issue. The resident fee is $10 and the nonresident fee is $100. The license shall be issued within 14 days of application unless the applicant is prohibited by N.H. or federal statute from possessing a firearm. No photograph or fingerprint may be required.

"The selectmen of a town, the mayor or chief of police of a city... or the director of state police... upon application of a nonresident, shall sign and issue a license to such applicant authorizing the applicant to carry a loaded pistol or revolver in this state for not less than 5 years from the date of issue."

RSA 159:6, I(a)-(b) statute

The NH Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit issues Pistol/Revolver Licenses only to non-residents. New Hampshire residents must apply through their local police agency (city/town chief of police or selectmen). The state-issued PRL is principally useful for reciprocity in other states that recognize it.

"Pistol and Revolver licenses are only issued to Non-Residents by the New Hampshire State Police. Please contact your local policing agency for a Resident Pistol/Revolver License."

NH State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing ag

Open carry has long been lawful in New Hampshire and is now expressly preserved by the same statute that authorizes permitless concealed carry. Any person not statutorily prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry openly without a license.

"the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire."

RSA 159:6, III statute

Unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm — loaded or unloaded — in a motor vehicle is expressly allowed for any resident, nonresident, or alien who is not statutorily prohibited from possessing a firearm in New Hampshire. There is no separate state restriction on glove-box, center-console, or trunk carry; rental-car rules are the same.

"the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire."

RSA 159:6, III statute

Effective January 1, 2025, any public or private employer that receives state or federal public funds (in any form or amount) may not prohibit an employee who may legally possess a firearm from storing a firearm or ammunition in the employee's locked, parked vehicle, nor take adverse action for doing so. The employer also may not require disclosure of in-vehicle storage and may not search the vehicle except via law-enforcement warrant. The protection extends to permitless carriers, not just permit holders. Enacted as 2024 Chapter 195 (HB 1336).

"Any public or private employer that receives public funds from the federal or state government or any subdivision thereof... shall not: (a) Prohibit an employee who may legally possess a firearm from storing a firearm or ammunition in the employee's vehicle while entering or exiting the employer's property or while the vehicle is parked on the employer's property as long as the vehicle is locked, and the firearm or ammunition is not visible."

RSA 159:27 statute

The director of the New Hampshire Division of State Police shall negotiate reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions to recognize the NH license. The director must apply at least once every 5 years to every jurisdiction with which NH does not have an agreement. Because of RSA 159:6, III, however, NH's permitless-carry rule allows any non-prohibited visitor to carry without any permit, so the practical effect is that NH 'honors' all visitors regardless of permit status.

"The director of the division of state police shall negotiate and enter into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions to recognize in those jurisdictions the validity of the license issued under RSA 159:6."

RSA 159:6-d statute

As published on the NH State Police Pistol and Revolver Licensing page, 29 states have indicated they will recognize the New Hampshire resident pistol/revolver license: AL, AK, AZ*, AR, CO*, FL*, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, VA, WV*, WY. Asterisked states (AZ, CO, FL, WV) require licensees to be at least 21.

"The states listed below have indicated that they will recognize New Hampshire resident pistol revolver licenses. Anyone carrying a firearm in New Hampshire is subject to all other applicable laws including RSA 159:3."

NH State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing (Reciprocity List) ag

New Hampshire codifies a castle doctrine: deadly force is justified when the actor reasonably believes another is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor within the actor's dwelling or its curtilage, or is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of or attempted commission of a burglary. There is no duty to retreat from a dwelling or its curtilage.

"A person is justified in using deadly force upon another person when he reasonably believes that such other person... (b) Is likely to use any unlawful force against a person present while committing or attempting to commit a burglary... (d) Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor within such actor's dwelling or its curtilage."

RSA 627:4, II(d) and III(a) statute

New Hampshire is a stand-your-ground state. A person is not required to retreat before using deadly force if the person is within their dwelling, its curtilage, or anywhere they have a right to be, and was not the initial aggressor. The no-retreat rule was added by 2011 N.H. Laws, Chapter 268.

"A person is not justified in using deadly force on another to defend himself or herself or a third person from deadly force by the other if he or she knows that he or she and the third person can, with complete safety: (a) Retreat from the encounter, except that he or she is not required to retreat if he or she is within his or her dwelling, its curtilage, or anywhere he or she has a right to be, and was not the initial aggressor."

RSA 627:4, III(a) statute

New Hampshire does not impose a statutory duty to proactively inform a law enforcement officer that you are armed. There is no 'duty to disclose' provision anywhere in RSA Chapter 159 (Pistols and Revolvers). PRL holders are not required to volunteer license or carry status during a traffic stop.

"CHAPTER 159: PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS"

RSA Chapter 159 (no duty-to-disclose statute) statute

Knowingly carrying any firearm or deadly weapon — whether open or concealed, loaded or unloaded, licensed or unlicensed — in a courtroom or in an 'area used by a court' is a Class B felony. The statute defines 'area used by a court' to include courtrooms, deliberation and conference rooms, judges' chambers, holding facilities, and directly connecting corridors and elevators. An exception applies when there was no notice posted at each public entrance.

"No person shall knowingly carry a loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver, or firearm or any other deadly weapon as defined in RSA 625:11, V, whether open or concealed or whether licensed or unlicensed, upon the person or within any of the person's possessions owned or within the person's control in a courtroom or area used by a court. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class B felony."

RSA 159:19 statute

New Hampshire does not have a state criminal statute generally prohibiting an adult from carrying a firearm on K-12 school grounds — that gap is filled by the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)), which makes it a federal offense to possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of K-12 school grounds without a state-issued license valid in the state where the school is located (NH residents' state-issued PRL satisfies this carve-out; permitless carriers do not). Separately, students who possess a firearm in a 'safe school zone' face mandatory expulsion under RSA 193:13.

"Any pupil who brings or possesses a firearm as defined in section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code in a safe school zone as defined in RSA 193-D:1 without written authorization from the superintendent or designee shall be expelled from school by the local school board for a period of not less than 12 months."

RSA 193:13 (K-12 expulsion) / 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) (federal school zone) statute

RSA 625:11, V supplies the cross-referenced definition of 'deadly weapon' used by the courthouse-carry ban (RSA 159:19) and the violent-crime weapon-use enhancement (RSA 159:15). The definition is functional rather than categorical: any firearm, knife, or other thing is a deadly weapon if, in the manner it is used or threatened to be used, it is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.

"'Deadly weapon' means any firearm, knife or other substance or thing which, in the manner it is used, intended to be used, or threatened to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury."

RSA 625:11, V statute

RSA 193-D:1, II supplies the 'safe school zone' definition cross-referenced by the student-firearm expulsion statute (RSA 193:13, IV). The zone reaches any school property or school buses — broader than just school buildings.

"'Safe school zone' means an area inclusive of any school property or school buses."

RSA 193-D:1, II statute

18 U.S.C. § 921 supplies the federal definition of 'firearm' that is incorporated by reference into RSA 193:13, IV (student expulsion) and into the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). The federal definition reaches any weapon designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, plus frames/receivers, silencers, and destructive devices; it excludes antique firearms.

"any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive"

18 U.S.C. § 921 statute

RSA 651:5, XIII supplies the 'violent crime' definition cross-referenced by the deadly-weapon-use enhancement at RSA 159:15. The list includes capital/first/second-degree murder, manslaughter, class A felony negligent homicide, first-degree assault, aggravated felonious sexual assault, kidnapping, class A felony arson, robbery, certain incest/child-endangerment offenses, and felonious child-sexual-abuse-image offenses.

"'Violent crime' means: (a) Capital murder, first or second degree murder, manslaughter, or class A felony negligent homicide under RSA 630; (b) First degree assault under RSA 631:1; (c) Aggravated felonious sexual assault or felonious sexual assault under RSA 632-A; (d) Kidnapping or criminal restraint under RSA 633; (e) Class A felony arson under RSA 634:1; (f) Robbery under RSA 636..."

RSA 651:5, XIII statute

The New Hampshire Department of Safety serves as the federal point-of-contact for NICS for handgun and 'other' firearm purchases through federally licensed dealers (NH State Police 'Gun Line'). Long-gun purchases through FFLs go directly to the FBI NICS system. New Hampshire does not require a background check on private, in-state firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals.

"The department of safety may become the point of contact for the federal government for the purposes of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)."

RSA 159-D:1 statute

The NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit's Gun Line completes background checks for all handgun purchases through a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer. Long-gun purchases are processed by the FBI NICS directly; the NH State Police does not handle long-gun denial appeals.

"The Permits and Licensing Unit's Gun Line is responsible for completing background checks for all handgun purchases occurring through a Federal Firearms Licensed gun dealer."

NH State Police — Permits and Licensing ag

Federal law requires that handguns be purchased from a federally licensed dealer only by buyers 21 or older, and long guns at 18. New Hampshire imposes no additional state purchase-age beyond federal law for adult buyers; private in-state transfers between unlicensed adults are not bound by these FFL minimums. RSA 159:12 makes it a misdemeanor to sell, barter, hire, lend, or give a pistol or revolver to any minor, with exceptions for parents/guardians, supervised training, hunting under licensed supervision, and supervised shooting events.

"A licensee may not sell a handgun to anyone under the age of 21. A licensee may not sell a long gun to anyone under the age of 18."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal) / ATF atf

Under RSA 159:12, any person who sells, barters, hires, lends, or gives any pistol or revolver to a minor is guilty of a misdemeanor. Statutory exceptions allow parents, grandparents, guardians, administrators, or executors to give a pistol or revolver to their children, wards, or heirs; permit supervised firearms training programs with parental permission; and allow licensed hunters and shooting-event supervisors to provide firearms to minors during lawful activity.

"Any person who shall sell, barter, hire, lend or give to any minor any pistol or revolver shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

RSA 159:12 statute

New Hampshire does not require firearm registration. The state preemption statute reserves exclusive jurisdiction over firearm 'licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter' to the state, and no NH statute creates a firearm registry. Localities may not require registration.

"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... in the state. 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."

RSA 159:26, I statute

New Hampshire has not enacted an extreme risk protection order (red flag) law. Multiple proposed ERPO bills have been introduced in recent sessions and have not become law. Title XII of the RSA — which governs Public Safety and Welfare and includes RSA 159 (Pistols and Revolvers) and RSA 173-B (Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence) — contains no ERPO authority. Domestic-violence protective orders under RSA 173-B do permit firearm relinquishment as a condition, but they are not a freestanding ERPO regime.

"TITLE XII PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE"

RSA Title XII (no ERPO statute) statute

RSA Chapter 173-B (Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence) is the cross-referenced framework that handles firearm relinquishment in the domestic-violence context in lieu of a stand-alone red-flag/ERPO statute. Courts issuing protective orders under RSA 173-B may impose firearm-relinquishment conditions, but the chapter is not a freestanding extreme risk protection order regime and is limited to domestic-violence respondents.

"CHAPTER 173-B: PROTECTION OF PERSONS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE"

RSA Chapter 173-B statute

New Hampshire has no state assault-weapon ban and preempts local governments from enacting one. The state preemption statute reserves to the state exclusive authority over the regulation of firearms, firearm components, and ammunition, voiding any contrary municipal ordinance.

"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 (preemption); no AWB statute statute

New Hampshire imposes no magazine-capacity limit. The state preemption statute bars local governments from adopting one, and the General Assembly has not enacted a state limit.

"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 (preemption); no capacity statute statute

Suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and machine guns are regulated under the federal National Firearms Act and require ATF registration. New Hampshire has no state-law prohibition on civilian ownership of NFA items; lawful possession requires NFA compliance.

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

RSA Chapter 159 — the controlling pistol, revolver, and weapons statute — does not prohibit civilian possession of suppressors, short-barreled rifles, or short-barreled shotguns. The chapter lists only specific prohibited weapons (e.g., teflon-coated/armor-piercing/exploding bullets for felonious use, certain self-defense weapons by felons, pistol/sword canes for criminal use). NFA items are not state-prohibited.

"CHAPTER 159: PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS"

RSA Chapter 159 (no state NFA-item prohibition) statute

New Hampshire has a strong preemption statute: to the extent consistent with federal law, the state alone has authority over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, and taxation of firearms, firearm components, ammunition, and knives. Any conflicting municipal ordinance was nullified by operation of the statute on its effective date. Limited carve-outs preserve zoning authority and discharge regulation under RSA 207:59.

"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... Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate [these matters]... Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I... shall be null and void."

RSA 159:26 statute

RSA 207:59 is the wildlife-management carve-out preserved by the firearms preemption statute (RSA 159:26). It vests the state with exclusive authority over wildlife management, which in turn justifies state-level firearm-discharge regulation tied to hunting and wildlife, rather than treating discharge as a firearm matter solely within RSA 159's preemption.

"The state of New Hampshire shall have exclusive authority and jurisdiction over the management, preservation, protection, propagation and taking of wildlife in the state."

RSA 207:59 statute

Effective February 22, 2017, New Hampshire enacted permitless carry by amending RSA 159:6 to add subsection III. The act also extended the Pistol/Revolver License validity period from 4 to 5 years and reenacted the reciprocity statute (RSA 159:6-d).

"AN ACT repealing the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver... Approved: Feb 22, 2017. Effective Date: 2/22/2017."

2017 N.H. Laws, Chapter 1 (SB 12) statute

Effective July 13, 2024, New Hampshire enacted Chapter 15 (SB 322), which added RSA 159:6-g granting law enforcement officers who issue PRLs in good faith immunity from liability for actions or misconduct by licensees. The chapter also amended RSA 159:6 (license-to-carry provisions).

"A law enforcement officer who issues a license in good faith under RSA 159:6 shall be immune from liability resulting or arising from any action or misconduct with a firearm committed by any individual to whom a license to carry a firearm has been issued."

2024 N.H. Laws, Chapter 15 (SB 322) statute

Effective January 1, 2025, New Hampshire enacted Chapter 195 (HB 1336), which added RSA 159:27. The statute bars public and private employers that receive any state or federal public funding from prohibiting employees who may legally possess a firearm from storing it in their locked, parked vehicles, or from taking adverse action against employees who do so. The protection extends to permitless carriers, not just permit holders.

"Any public or private employer that receives public funds from the federal or state government or any subdivision thereof... shall not: (a) Prohibit an employee who may legally possess a firearm from storing a firearm or ammunition in the employee's vehicle while entering or exiting the employer's property or while the vehicle is parked on the employer's property as long as the vehicle is locked, and the firearm or ammunition is not visible."

2024 N.H. Laws, Chapter 195 (HB 1336) statute

Effective May 23, 2025, New Hampshire enacted Chapter 40, which amended RSA 159:8 (purchase of firearm; identity of purchaser) and RSA 159:6-g (LEO immunity), and repealed RSA 159:10. The Chapter 40 amendments simplified the purchaser-identification requirement to forbid delivering a firearm to a purchaser who is not personally known to the seller or who does not present clear evidence of identity, or to a person convicted of a felony.

"No pistol, revolver, or other firearm shall be delivered to a purchaser not personally known to the seller or who does not present clear evidence of his or her identity; nor to a person who has been convicted of a felony."

2025 N.H. Laws, Chapter 40 statute

Chapter 40 amended RSA 159:8 to simplify the purchaser-identification requirement to forbid delivering a firearm to a purchaser who is not personally known to the seller or who does not present clear evidence of identity, or to a person convicted of a felony. The chapter also amended RSA 159:6-g (LEO immunity) and repealed RSA 159:10.

2025 N.H. Laws, Chapter 40

Chapter 195 (HB 1336) added RSA 159:27, prohibiting any public or private employer that receives any state or federal public funding from barring employees who may legally possess a firearm from storing it in a locked, parked vehicle on the employer's property, and from taking adverse action for doing so. The statute also bars searches and disclosure requirements and grants employers liability protection for theft or third-party misuse.

2024 N.H. Laws, Chapter 195 (HB 1336)

Chapter 15 (SB 322) added RSA 159:6-g, granting law enforcement officers who issue Pistol/Revolver Licenses in good faith immunity from liability for any subsequent action or misconduct involving a firearm committed by the licensee. The chapter also made amendments to RSA 159:6 license-to-carry procedures.

2024 N.H. Laws, Chapter 15 (SB 322)

SB 12 (Chapter 1 of 2017 N.H. Laws), 'AN ACT repealing the licensing requirement for carrying a concealed pistol or revolver,' added RSA 159:6, III, which expressly preserves unlicensed carry — openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, on the person or in a vehicle — for any resident, nonresident, or alien not statutorily prohibited. The act also extended the Pistol/Revolver License validity period from 4 to 5 years and reenacted the reciprocity statute (RSA 159:6-d).

2017 N.H. Laws, Chapter 1 (SB 12)