Opposing Sides Clash On Proposed New Hampshire 'Red Flag' Gun Law

CONCORD – A New Hampshire House committee hearing Tuesday grew contentious as opposing sides debated the proposed “Red Flag” law, which would allow for the removal of firearms from those deemed at risk of harming themselves or others.

House Bill 687 would enable family members and law enforcement to petition the court for temporary removal of guns. Opponents not only criticized the proposal, which they said infringes on their Second Amendment rights, diminishes due process and has the potential for abuse, but also protested that the hearing was moved to the Representatives’ Hall, which the House has designated a gun-free zone.

House Speaker Steve Shurtleff told the Manchester Union-Leader that the move from the Legislative Office Building was for space reasons to accommodate an expected large crowd.

The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense is a major proponent of the bill. Its members wore red T-shirts in support of the proposed law Tuesday.

Among those opposed is the NH Women’s Defense League, which posted on its website: “The mother of ALL GUN CONTROL bills is about to be heard in the NH House Criminal Justice Committee. This is the most destructive piece of legislation to ever be introduced to the legislature in modern history.”

Several of those opposing the proposal, including legislators, wore pearl necklaces to the hearing, which was seen as targeting advocates for the bill and stricter gun laws.

Under the proposal, a family member or law enforcement agent could petition a judge for an extreme-risk protection order prohibiting the person from purchasing, possessing or receiving firearms, as well as forcing the surrender of all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement.

The judge would specify the duration of the order, subject to appeal.

The debate was contentious throughout the day on social media as well as in Concord.

Hey #NHPolitics If you want to mock me, let’s make it official. Come clean my house, do my dishes, feed my family, taxi my kids to practice, register one for school, and then volunteer your “free time” to gun violence prevention. P.S. MY pin saves lives. @MomsDemand pic.twitter.com/jU4TbqBNQl
— Jbell (@jbellbooks) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/jbellbooks... 5, 2019