Hassan Vetoes Concealed Carry Reform Bill

As expected, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, has vetoed legislation that would remove the requirement of a license or approval by police chiefs for citizens to be able to have a concealed and loaded handgun.

In a veto statement, Hassan said the current law, on the books in the Granite State for nearly 100 years, has “worked well” and safeguards both the Second Amendment and the state’s citizens.

“Our concealed weapons permitting system gives an important oversight role to local law enforcement, while allowing for appeals through appropriate channels,” she noted. “I support the Second Amendment and I believe that Americans have a right to responsibly own guns for personal safety, hunting, and recreation. However, I also recognize the need to balance the rights of gun owners with the rights of all New Hampshire citizens to be safe in their communities. With this consideration, I believe that New Hampshire’s current law is appropriate and responsible.”

Hassan, in her veto message, cited the 2008 Supreme Court case, quoting conservative Justice Antonin Scalia that the rights of gun owners were not unlimited. She also quoted former Gov. Meldrim Thomson who once called the permitting process “sensible” in his book, “Live Free or Die.”

Proponents of reforming the law – which would make New Hampshire law the same as Vermont – blasted the decision.

The Women’s Defense League of NH, which made a full court press and even requested a meeting with the governor to speak about this issue, noting the discriminatory history and origins of the permitting law, said the group would never have believed that Hassan would allow a racist, gender biased law to stand.

“We never could have believed the Governor would continue almost 100 years of despicable discrimination, but our worst fears have now been confirmed,” the press statement said. “The Governor claims to be a proponent of both women’s rights and gay rights yet she has chosen to continue allowing both women and gays to be discriminated against in New Hampshire.”

The org stated that Hassan’s comments about women going to court to challenge a license rejection as ”financially unattainable” and a denial of a woman’s right to due process based on discrimination.

“To the abused or stalked woman who needs to immediately protect herself, this could literally be deadly,” the statement said. “These women would either have to become criminals and risk breaking the law thanks to the state-sanctioned discrimination Governor Hassan has continued to allow or risk their lives.”

The prime sponsor of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, said he was “disappointed” in the veto since it was “a common sense measure supported by the House and the Senate that would have ensured law-abiding citizens’ rights to protect their lives, liberties, and loved ones.” He noted that Vermont has allowed its citizens for more than two centuries to carry a concealed weapon without a permit and was one of the safest states in the nation, according to the FBI.

“The governor’s veto of this measure makes no sense from a public safety perspective and undermines constitutional protections law abiding NH citizens expect,” Bradley added.

House Majority Jack Flanagan, R-Brookline, said the veto sends “the wrong message” to law abiding gun owners.

“Contrary to what opponents of the bill would like us to believe, SB 116 will not enable a proliferation of criminal activity,” he said. “This bill does not extend rights of those who would be otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. Those with criminal intent will continue to obtain, carry, and use firearms in illegal ways. Impeding the rights of lawful gun owners based on the actions of criminals is unfair. House Republicans support laws that uphold our citizens’ constitutional rights, and will support overriding the Governor’s veto on SB116.”

It is unknown at press time whether or not there are the votes available to override Hassan’s veto but it doesn’t look likely. The bill was approved in the House by a 212-150 vote and 14-9 in the state Senate, or slightly less than two-thirds of both houses.

Jennifer Horn, the chairwoman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, also was critical of Hassan’s veto decision, calling “politically-motivated” and stated that it showed she was prioritizing “radical, out-of-state gun control groups over New Hampshire residents.” Horn added, “This commonsense legislation would have clarified existing law to ensure that law-abiding citizens do not have their permits delayed without cause. New Hampshire gun owners see right through Governor Hassan’s thinly-veiled attempt to gain favor with deep-pocketed, out-of-state billionaires to fund her United States Senate campaign.”