New Hampshire allows concealed carry without a permit under RSA 159:6-b (effective February 22, 2017), known as "constitutional carry." Anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed in most public places. A Pistol/Revolver License is optional under RSA 159:6 for reciprocity. Applicants need a background check and must be approved by local police. Concealed carry is banned in courthouses and schools (RSA 159:19). Private property owners can prohibit firearms with signs. Violations can lead to a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) in restricted areas.
Costs: A license costs $10 for residents ($100 for non-residents), with no mandatory training.
Processing Time: Licenses are issued within 14 days.
Renewal: Licenses last 5 years and cost $10 to renew.
Reciprocity: New Hampshire honors permits from 28 states, like Maine and Vermont. A New Hampshire license is recognized by 32 states, including Georgia and Texas.
New Hampshire permits open carry of handguns and long guns without a permit for anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm (RSA 159:1). No holster is required, but firearms must be visible. Open carry is banned in courthouses and schools (RSA 159:19). Private businesses can ban it with signage. Violations can result in a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) in restricted zones.
New Hampshire has minimal state restrictions on firearm types. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are legal with no limits (RSA 159:1). Silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and machine guns are allowed if registered with the ATF (26 U.S.C. § 5861). Ghost guns are legal and don’t need serialization. Felons can’t possess firearms (RSA 159:3). Federal violations can lead to felony charges (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamps for NFA items cost $200 each.
New Hampshire follows the federal Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) (18 U.S.C. § 926A) for interstate travel. Firearms must be unloaded and in a locked container if passing through restrictive states. New Hampshire allows permitless carry in vehicles (RSA 159:1). Carry is banned in federal facilities and restricted areas like schools (RSA 159:19). Violations can lead to a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years).
New Hampshire has no state permits or waiting periods for buying firearms (RSA 159:1). You must be 21 for handguns or 18 for long guns and pass a federal background check for dealer sales (18 U.S.C. § 922). Private sales require no checks unless the buyer is prohibited (e.g., felons) (RSA 159:3). Violations can lead to felony charges (up to 7 years).
Costs: Background checks are free at sale; dealers may add $10-$20.
New Hampshire does not require firearm registration (RSA 159:1). There’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns, and ghost guns don’t need serialization. Federal registration applies to NFA items like machine guns (26 U.S.C. § 5861). Federal violations can result in felony charges (up to 10 years).
Costs: None for state registration; federal NFA tax stamps are $200.
New Hampshire has no state-mandated storage laws. No child access prevention law exists, but reckless endangerment applies if a minor accesses a gun and causes harm (RSA 631:3). No reporting is required for lost or stolen firearms. Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) or felony (up to 7 years) if injury occurs.
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New Hampshire has a Castle Doctrine with no duty to retreat in your home (RSA 627:4). Deadly force is allowed if you believe it’s necessary to prevent harm. Outside the home, you must retreat if safe before using deadly force. Excessive force can lead to manslaughter charges (up to 30 years).
Sources: [1]