New - New Hampshire's Enhanced Castle Doctrine

[Grelor]

Pretty proud of the Granite State . . . The New Hampshire legislature passed (June 22, 2011) into law a bill expands the Castle Doctrine, so that a person is permitted to use deadly force not only when threatened inside his or her home, BUT ALSO ANY PLACE THAT PERSON HAS A LEGAL RIGHT TO BE.

It also provides civil immunity to anyone using deadly force for self-protection or the protect of others. And the beauty of it all is, that even though we have a Democrat Governor, who doesn't want to sign the bill, it was passed by both the Senate and House with VETO PROOF MAJORITIES. “Live Free or Die!”

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well done, New Hampshire people!

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Did it go into effect immediately?

 

[Grelor]

NH castle law

The bill did not go into effect immediately. It is still on the Governor's desk awaiting his action. We expect him to use his veto. But this time the legislature has made it clear that this will become law in NH. While NH is way ahead of the curve on gun issues in most areas, under the existing law you are required to retreat from a threat if at all possible or face criminal prosecution. I'll keep the forum posted as this progresses.

 

[franconialocal]

I love my state!!!

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

If only Boutin didn't remove Constitutional Carry from it then we would be all set.

 

[Danb1215]

Seriously, Constitutional carry was so damn close. Still its a good sign, I would be shocked in NH didn't have constitutional carry within the next year or two.

 

[Grelor]

Constitution Carry -- NH

Constitutional Carry gets closer each time it is brought up in the New Hampshire legislature. But now, with such a large Republican majority we really thought it would have passed. ... Just means we have some more work to do in helping people like David Boutin see that following the Constitution is not such a bad idea. And we still have some work to do in this next election cycle to assure that 2nd Amendment-friendly legislators keep their seats and those who are not, lose theirs! Just because they have an (R) after their names doesn't necessarily make them a friend of the 2nd Amendment.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Congrats, Granite staters. I spent a few years there during which time Gov. Lynch vetoed the first attempt.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I hope this sweeps the states like other gun laws have over the last 5 years.

I fail to understand the opposition...bad guys already do what they do. Good guys can now legally defend themselves and others...not seeing the problem.

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

In my opinion, the civil liability immunity is even more interesting than the 'any legal right to be' part....

Can you please post a link to the text of the bill?

 

[henschman]

Outstanding. I am so proud of New Hampshire... the freest state in the union, and getting freer all the time. I would love to move... do you suppose you guys could get a law passed removing the licensure requirement for attorneys? I don't really feel like taking another one of those tests again just to get permission from the gov't to practice my profession.

 

[swiftak]

Henschman, Come on up. We can work on it.

 

[Grelor]

Text of New Hampshire Castle Statute

Here is a link that will take you to the text of the NH bill as passed.

http://www.nhliberty.org/bills/view/2011/SB88

--> Henschman . . . Yeah, taking the Bar exam again would be a pain, but I would love to have a few more constitutionally-conscious attorneys up here! We are definitely the minority. The New Hampshire Bar, like that of most other states, leans decidedly to the "left".

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Well the original CC bill, HB330, was pushed to next year so there is still hope.

 

[Grelor]

NH Governor Vetos New Hampshire Castle Doctrine Bill

No surprise here --- on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, Democrat Governor, John Lynch vetoed the New Hampshire Castle Doctrine Bill.

This time, however, the NH Senate is poised to override his veto. They have the votes and are ready willing and able to do it. The same is true in the NH House of Representatives. Bring it on!

 

[Owen Sparks]

Are you familiar with thr Free State Project in NH? They helped get this passed.

 

[Danb1215]

Outstanding. I am so proud of New Hampshire... the freest state in the union, and getting freer all the time. I would love to move... do you suppose you guys could get a law passed removing the licensure requirement for attorneys? I don't really feel like taking another one of those tests again just to get permission from the gov't to practice my profession.

Not 100% on the specifics but in NH people without a law degree (never mind members of the state bar) can represent people with their signed permission. Worth looking at

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Here's an update on the progress of this in NH. Details of the veto concerning deadly force are spread throughout the article and it just says the House will "take up vetoes" next week.

http://www.nhpr.org/senate-overrides-lynch-self-defense

The GOP majority did vote to relax certain money lending caps, and to expand self-defense laws.

The one vote in question on this veto day was where Senators stood on the so-called deadly force bill.

That’s the legislation that would allow citizens outside of their home to use deadly force to protect themselves or others when threatened.

 

[tyeo098]

Isnt this like Florida's "Stand your ground" law?

 

[Owen Sparks]

Excelent, the next step in restoring liberty is to get that power expanded so that the individual can use force to protect his property if it becomes necessary.

 

[Grelor]

It's a Done Deal in New Hampshire!

Yesterday, the State House of Representatives voted to override our Democrat Governors veto of the "Enhanced Castles Doctrine" Bill Senate Bill 88. The new law goes into effect on November 14, 2011 and recognizes the citizens' right to defend themselves with firearms ANY PLACE THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE LEGALLY. The bill had stiff opposition from the police chiefs across the State.

But really . . . when live and death decisions require SPLIT-SECOND response, it is of little comfort to know your police response is just MINUTES away!

Bravo New Hampshire Legislature! Read about it here:

http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x1660693426/Veto-override-expands-NH-deadly-force-law

 

[mortablunt]

Horray! Now can we start work on Maryland laws? I know that I'm supposed to be super safe in a college campus, and that Marijuana is supposed to be illegal, and than under 21 people can still have alcohol, and that it is a crime to pirate media, but all those thing still go on in the college. Is it too much to ask for the simple legal right to not be forced into being a victim?

 

[smallbore]

Thank you NH Legislature

 

[hermannr]

why is Mr. Lynch still the Gov? Sounds like you need to rid yourselves of him too.