Help, I just moved to NH...

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plnkr1234

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...and I need to know the firearms laws. I was told by the clerk at Wallmart that you have to be a resident of NH for at least 6 months before you can purchase a handgun. Does anyone know if this is true? Are there any exceptions? I just moved up from MA. I have a MA class A LTC and a FL CCP.

Thanks.
 
Some WalMart firearm clerks (not all, by any means) are a font of misinformation...both technical and legal.

Then again, some clerks at some gunshops are the same. Oh well. For forum opinions on good NH gunshops, search this site for "Riley's", there's a long thread on which NH shops are good and vice versa.

and welcome to NH...
 
Where do you live?

I moved up from MA in Jan and live in Concord.

I had a LTC within a month (2 weeks to find the PD), 2 weeks to get it.

I bought a new toy within 2 months. No problem.

DO NOT trust what you hear at Wal-Mart.

I'd stay away from Riley's- they are NOT friendly.

Try Lewis Arms, 3 minutes away, VERY friendly.

Let me know if you have any questions.

M
 
I have been here 5 months.Bought a shotgun and a handgun last week.No problems. I have a MA class A LTC too.I believe it is worthless now that I dont live in Ma.anymore.One thing is you have to pay non resident fees for a hunting and fishing till you live here 6 months. :cuss: I applied for my permit on a tuesday and on that friday they hand delivered it to my home.They called 2 of the people I wrote down for references.
 
From what I understand NH laws are quite similar to those here in ME - very good! You should get a copy of the laws with any CCW permit. If not check with local PD. Gotta second the opinion on Riley's. Best suggestion I can give is leave any and all aspects of your MA history behind. Us non-commonwealth folks don't normally care much for the MA people with their Democrat ideals trying to make our staes what theirs was. (As a gun person I'm guessing you're NOT in that category)
Best idea may be to look for local gun club to join. Gets you involved in a favorable group with similar interests.
 
Cover Your Assets!

All of you LTC holders who've just moved from MA to NH - did you file the statutory change of address w/the town you moved from AND the CHSB, AND do so in the prescribed manner?

If not - WHY not?

Yes, you are no longer MA residents. However, if you hope to get a NON-resident LTC, you must be in good standing. Having an LTC which is void by reason of an unacknowledged move is NOT a good thing.

Just a "heads up" for the mildly distracted - the terminally clueless can't be helped! ;)
 
Tory, I don't wish to contradict your CYA. This sounds like a good idea. However, I personally believe it may be overkill.

I lived in Beverly, MA for six years, during which time I had a Class A LTC. I moved from one part of town to another during this time, and sent the change of address letters. Not that I expected any response, but for the record I did not receive one. Later, I again moved from one part of town to another. This time I did not send change of address letters to either the town PD or the Staties in Chelsea. Some time later, I sent in my renewal application. I got my new Class A LTC without any fuss. So either:

1. Beverly/Staties didn't care about my change of address because it was within the same town, or,

2. I got lucky.

I did not send in a change of address letter when I moved to New Hampshire because I didn't believe it was necessary. Until I can review the law I will again agree with your suggestion. Perhaps I have put the procural of a NR MA LTC at risk by not doing so.
 
Welcome to Firearms Friendly Live Free or Die NH ~

Being a former Massholio born and raised resident myself, please be advised that owning firearms in New Hampshire is an easy thing. Being a resident of NH for over 20 years now, I've not had to bother acquiring firearms through a dealer in a very long time. Residents of NH can buy n' sell both handguns and longarms among themselves without paperwork. About the only requirement is that the buyer or seller of a handgun is suppose to be known.

So the first question is ~ When did you get your New Hampshire state Drivers License ? That's the main document needed. The Townhall is where motor vehicles are registered through after paying a local tax. That establishes residency in New Hampshire too. While at the town or city hall one can register to vote. New Hampshire government processes at all levels are very user friendly, espeically to those coming from autocratic monstrosities like Massachusetts.

Local police departments in NH will issue a carry permit without a Kennedachusetts type hassle too. Don't have a carry permit myself simply because packing a concealed weapon within New Hampshire has never been needed. I just stay out of the non-American speaking ghettos of Manchester (Lowell/Lawrence, Mass north annex) and stay pretty much safe. Next door in Vermont, no permit to carry is required anyway. Both the cow farmers and extreme leftist commies want to own and carry guns as they please with no government involved.

As far as the residency requirement, simply call up the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety in Concord and ask them. Would think that if you've got an NH driver's license and documentation you're pretty much covered. Enjoy the Granite State as the invading liberal massholios haven't ruined it yet ! That's yet !
 
Here's the law Tory and I are talking about:

Chapter 140, section 131, paragraph (l):

The executive director of the criminal history systems board shall send by first class mail to the holder of each such license to carry firearms, a notice of the expiration of such license not less than 90 days prior to such expiration and shall enclose therein a form for the renewal of such license. The taking of fingerprints shall not be required in issuing the renewal of a license if the renewal applicant's fingerprints are on file with the department of the state police. Any licensee shall notify, in writing, the licensing authority who issued said license, the chief of police into whose jurisdiction the licensee moves and the executive director of the criminal history systems board of any change of address. Such notification shall be made by certified mail within 30 days of its occurrence. Failure to so notify shall be cause for revocation or suspension of said license.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-131.htm

It doesn't say anything about moving out of state, but as one's license would automatically become void by doing so, I do not believe a change of address letter is necessary. Just my opinion, of course.
 
Well, never trust department store folks to know what's up.

I moved from MD to AL, and in sticker shock at the price I thought about buying a S&W 642 from Academy Sports (not sure if this is a local or national chain) and was told "90 days residency in Alabama to buy a handgun". In fairness to the man, I did not ask if this was store policy or state law, as I was kinda embarrassed I didn't know this rule.

Long story short, I posted this query on THR and 1 week later I had met a true gentleman in THR member Ala Dan at Simmons Sporting Goods and was the owner of a S&W 642 (for less than Academy). Alls well that ends well. I did have to have an Alabama DL with my physical address, which I had luckily done first thing when I moved.

Good luck - moving to a gun friendly state from a real anti state is an eye opener - they even have radio ads for the Alabama Training Institute and Pistol Range on AM 1070 (local talk radio) down here. I think I almost wrecked the car first time I heard that! :)
 
Procedural misapphrehension

"Not that I expected any response, but for the record I did not receive one."

For the record, you are not sent one. The statute says NOTHING about an acknowledgment being sent; it expressly requires the licensee to provide notice. Hence doing so by Registered Mail/Return Receipt Requested.

Again, CYA. :cool:
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the great replies. I checked on the packing.org site for the NH laws regarding firearms, and no mention is made of a 6 month residency requirement to purchase a handgun.

I agree with not trusting a clerk at Wallmart or anywhere else for that matter.

I just moved to Nashua. Anyone know of good gunshops in the area and good rifle and pistol ranges?

I do plan on making the proper notifications regarding my LTC but since I've moved out of state, will my permit automatically be converted to a non-resident one? Will it still be for all lawful purposes?

Thanks again for all the replies.
 
Plnkr,
Welcome to NH. Free State Project?
Riley's is okay...they have some really good people and some not so good. Prices are fair, and they're willing to make deals. Wally world is fine for ammo.
Try the range at Manchester Firing Line (www.gunsnh.com), they are great folks!
 
NH resident you must by law obtain a NH License with in 60 days. Once you have the license purchase any firearm from any dealer in the state. Private sales are legal.


Nashua Fish and Game is a place to shoot. It used to be better when they allowed the tactical arts group to shoot there. Hopefully with will allow them in the future.

http://www.nfga.org/


Another place is Pelham Fish and Game in Pelham, NH Not to far away.

Lots of Gun shops. Also Kittery Trading Post in Kittery Me. is great. THey have an anex in NH. So you can purchase handguns there.
 
When I moved from MA to NH, my first NH drivers license issued was a 6 month "Temporary" License. I did buy a handgun from a local FFL using that temporary drivers license and no questions were asked.

I did have a MA LTC Class A "All Lawful Purposes" license and like others here I never did notify the MA police that I moved to NH. Not worried unless I apply for an out of state CCW in MA.

simonz
 
Congratulations!

You have moved to the gunner's heaven. Oh do I miss it so. Hopefully I will be moving back in a few years.

It has been a long time, but Wolf Shooting Sports (or whatever they are calling themselves this week) used to have a decent selection. Never paid much attention to prices.

Hands down the best shop is Kittery Trading Post (selection anyway). Technically in Maine, but they have a storefront just across the border in NH. You start the transaction in Maine, then you follow the clerk to the NH storefront to complete the paperwork.

There was a thread about NH gun stores not too long ago.

Rileys is hit or miss. Some new stuff, but a lot of crappy police trade-ins.

Heritage fireams used to be a really good store. No longer in business. :cuss: :fire: :banghead: :mad:
 
Welcome

You are home now son. For some good and bad gun shop advice check out the thread about Bad expirence with Rileys in NH
 
It has been a long time, but Wolf Shooting Sports (or whatever they are calling themselves this week)...
Click to expand...

Now d/b/a Manchester Firing Line, right off exit 2 from 293 (Brown Ave). They focus on rentals, but Jim does stock most models of Glock pistols. Other than that there are just some random consignment pistols in the displays. As a member, I get FFL transfers for just $15!
 
You do not need a NH drivers licence to buy guns in NH, you do need proof of residence, which can be in the form of a rental agreement or lease contract. A friend of mine recently purchased a rifle using his rental agreement and his National Guard ID.

If you want facts instead of opinions on this subject, contact Mark Buda, of Triple Break Products, he's an FFL, Class 2 NFA manufacturer, dealer, he really knows his stuff. And I like him because he let me play with his machine gun :) He can also hook you up with anything you want. Hes in Merrimack NH.

www.triplebreakproducts.com

Email [email protected]
 
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