It’s Time to Reclaim Lost Rights…

Milford, NH -(Ammoland.com)- The time is NOW to end New Hampshire’s ban on the carrying of loaded rifles or shotguns in vehicles and boats.

Rep. Mark Proulx has introduced HB 1132 which will have a public hearing before the New Hampshire House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, January 26, at 10:20 AM in Room 203 of the Legislative Office Building.

For far too long, firearms owners have faced arrest and prosecution just for having in their car, a loaded rifle or shotgun.

This is a “possessory” only firearms offense. Such laws are common in places with nasty, repressive firearm laws, e.g., New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. In such places, a law-abiding person can be turned into a criminal just for having a 30-round magazine or hollow-point ammunition. It is simply wrong for a New Hampshire resident to be put on the wrong side of the law, just for having in his/her car a loaded rifle or shotgun. Other states do not have such a prohibition.

Supporters of the rifle ban claim that it helps to curb poaching. RUBBISH!!! Poachers – by definition are law-breakers – ignore the ban and other controls on hunting.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, has, for far to long used their name and resources to oppose legislation that is protective of Second Amendment civil rights. Poachers can abuse many other items often kept in cars: flashlights, snacks, etc. Bears adore doughnuts, snack cakes, etc. We wonder, is the Department next going to try to ban flashlights and doughnuts from being carried in cars? Will Fish and Game Officers stake-out Dunkin’ Donuts? The prohibition on loaded rifles and shotguns in vehicles is an anti-Second Amendment law and it must be repealed.

The ban on loaded rifles/shotguns in cars simply promotes the entrapment of the law-abiding. We have received reports from the field that when hunters are exiting the woods, sometimes, a Fish and Game Officer is waiting near their vehicle and asks to see a hunting license. The hunter, who is properly licensed, immediately complies and when he does so he sometimes places his rifle on his vehicle and then receives a ticket for a loaded rifle in or on a vehicle. HB 1132 will stop this sort of abuse.

Further, AR-type rifles – especially with collapsible stocks – are an excellent all-purpose self-defense firearm, for in-home or in-vehicle use.

75% of New Hampshire residents live in rural areas: a sudden encounter with a wild animal or criminal is a daily risk and law enforcement in rural areas could take as long as 30 or 40 minutes to respond. Cars break-down. Tires go flat.

Those driving in rural areas should ALWAYS have handy a loaded rifle or shotgun. Helping the law abiding to protect themselves is far more important than preventing poaching!

The 25% of us, who do live in cities or big towns, shouldn’t be at risk of prosecution for having a loaded rifle or shotgun in our car or truck, in an area where’s there’s nothing to hunt (except maybe bargains on Route 101A in Amherst or Nashua or South Willow Street in Manchester).

Further, a New Hampshire Supreme Court decision requires any police officer – wishing to search a car – to get a search warrant. Your car is just like your home! Therefore, just as you may possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in your home, you should be able to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in your car.

Here is what you can do to help. Click here to send an email to all of the members of New Hampshire House Transportation Committee. Urge them to vote HB 1132 “ought to pass” without any amendments!

If you are available on Tuesday, January 26, please attend the hearing in the Legislative Office Building Room 203. Please either sign the blue form that you support HB 1132 or fill in a pink card and request to speak in favor of the bill.

The following State Representatives are members of the House Transportation Committee, click on their name to send a personalized email (especially if you live in one of their districts). Please remember to be polite but firm when you ask them to vote HB 1132 “ought to pass” without any amendments!

• Chairman Representative Steven Smith (r) (603)826-5940
• Vice Chairman Representative Thomas Walsh (r) (603)623-4104
• Representative Thomas Laware (r) (603)826-3137
• Representative Sherman Packard (r) (603)432-3391
• Representative Brian Chirichiello (r) (603)432-0799
• Representative Karel Crawford (r) (603)253-7857
• Representative Bruce Hodgdon (r) (603)942-5264
• Representative Larry Gagne (r) (603)625-9692
• Representative G. Thomas Cardon (r) (607)437-4847
• Representative Russell Dumais (r) (603)293-2014
• Representative Werner Horn (r) (603)470-9667
• Representative Chris True (r) (603)887-2793
• Representative George Sykes (d) (603)448-0319
• Representative Michael O’Brien (d) (603)888-8051
• Representative Timothy Soucy (d) (603)305-5012
• Representative Gladys Johnsen (d) (603)358-5164
• Representative Dick Patten (d) (603)228-1803
• Representative Pamela Brown (d) (603)930-6999
• Representative Michael Abbott (d) (603)336-7090
• Representative Alan Cohen (d) (603)889-0965

Urge your legislators to vote for HB 1132. It will make New Hampshire residents safer, from abusive conservation officers and violent criminals.

Thanks for your support.

About New Hampshire Firearms Coalition:

The New Hampshire Firearms Coalition is New Hampshire’s only No Compromise Gun Rights Organization. While many so-called “gun rights groups” work to curry favor with politicians and the media, NHFC is working aggressively to hold politicians accountable and to put a stop to gun control.

For more information, visit: www.nhfc-ontarget.org.