These statutes can be found at RSA 159:6 et seq. and may be accessed at any legal library or at
http://www.nh.gov
Salient points are provided below:
• License to carry is required to carry a loaded pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle or to carry a concealed, loaded pistol or revolver.
• NH residents obtain their license from the Selectmen of their town or the Mayor or Chief of Police of a city or some full-time police officer designated by them respectively, upon application.
• Non-residents must apply to the Director of State Police for their license.
• It must appear that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to their person or property or has any proper purpose and that the applicant is a suitable person to be licensed.
Hunting, target shooting or self-defense shall be considered a proper purpose. The license is allowable for all proper purposes regardless of the one for which it was issued.
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Applicants not prohibited under federal or NH law from possession of a firearm shall be deemed suitable persons and the license shall be issued unless the applicant is so prohibited from possessing a firearm. The burden is on the licensing entity to prove by clear and convincing proof that the applicant is so prohibited from possessing a firearm.
• The license is in duplicate, with one copy retained by the issuing entity, and bears the name, address, description and signature of the licensee. No photograph or fingerprint shall be required or used as a basis to grant, deny or renew a license unless requested by the applicant.
• Licenses expire at midnight on the anniversary of the holder’s date or birth no less than 4 years from the date of issue, with March 2 the expiration for persons born on February 29. Licenses may be suspended or revoked if the person is no longer deemed a suitable person or is prohibited from possessing a firearm by federal or NH law. The licensee may appeal a suspension or revocation within 7 days to the issuing authority.
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Licenses must be issued or denied within 14 days of application, and if denied, the reason shall be stated in writing and delivered to the applicant within 14 days, with a copy kept by the denying authority. The applicant may appeal a denial within 30 days to the District Court in the jurisdiction in which the person resides, and the court shall hold a hearing within 14 days.
• License fees are $10 for residents, for the use of the local law enforcement department, and $100 for nonresidents, for the use of the State.
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No forms other than the one prescribed and issued by the Director of State Police may be used for the application and issuance of licenses.
• If a resident license holder moves to another community, he or she shall notify in writing the licensing authority in his or her new place of residence that he or she has a current license, and the license shall remain in effect until it would otherwise expire.
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Licensing entities who withhold a license in violation of the law are liable for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in any lawsuit to enforce the provisions of this chapter if the court finds the suit was necessary in order to force compliance and the law was knowingly violated.
• Full faith and credit is given to nonresidents with licenses from their home states only in cases where New Hampshire and that state have provided reciprocal privileges.
• Federal law allows current peace officers from any of the 50 states and peace officers who retired in good standing and are not otherwise barred by state or federal law to carry concealed handguns in New Hampshire provided they carry suitable credentials to prove their status with them whenever carrying concealed, and further provided that they have passed periodic firearms qualification courses acceptable by their states. Current or retired peace officers should carry their official identification at such times.
• No license is required for New Hampshire peace officers to carry a concealed and loaded weapon on or offduty. Officers should carry their official identification at such times.
