HB1420 (2006) Detail

(New Title) prohibiting remote control and Internet hunting and relative to exceptions to the prohibitions on the sale of firearms to minors and the furnishing of arms to persons under 16.


CHAPTER 73

HB 1420-FN – FINAL VERSION

01Feb2006… 0559h

07Mar2006… 1159h

04/06/06 1551s

04/06/06 1674s

2006 SESSION

06-2153

10/09

HOUSE BILL 1420-FN

AN ACT prohibiting remote control and Internet hunting and relative to exceptions to the prohibitions on the sale of firearms to minors and the furnishing of arms to persons under 16.

SPONSORS: Rep. Nowe, Rock 9; Rep. R. L’Heureux, Hills 19; Rep. Bicknell, Rock 1; Rep. Reed, Merr 2; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9

COMMITTEE: Fish and Game

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits remote control or Internet hunting and establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations.

The bill also sets forth exceptions to the prohibitions on sale of firearms to minors and the furnishing of arms to persons under 16 years of age.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01Feb2006… 0559h

07Mar2006… 1159h

04/06/06 1551s

04/06/06 1674s

06-2153

10/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT prohibiting remote control and Internet hunting and relative to exceptions to the prohibitions on the sale of firearms to minors and the furnishing of arms to persons under 16.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

73:1 New Section; Remote Control and Internet Hunting. Amend RSA 207 by inserting after section 8 the following new section:

207:8-a Remote Control or Internet Hunting Prohibited.

I. No person shall offer for sale, take, or assist in the taking of wildlife by use of remote control or Internet hunting. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if a natural person and guilty of a felony if any other person. In addition, the executive director may impose a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation of this section, with the moneys received from imposition of such civil penalty to be deposited in the fish and game fund.

II. For the purpose of this section “remote control or Internet hunting” shall mean the use of a computer or other electronic device, equipment, or software, to remotely control the aiming or discharge of a firearm or other weapon, that allows a person, not physically present, to take wildlife.

73:2 Pistols and Revolvers; Sale to Minors. Amend RSA 159:12 to read as follows:

159:12 Sale to Minors.

I. Any person who shall sell, barter, hire, lend or give to any minor any pistol or revolver shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

II. This section shall not apply to:

(a) Fathers, mothers, grandparents, guardians, administrators or executors who give a revolver to their children or wards or to heirs to an estate.

(b) Individuals instructing minors in the safe use of firearms during a supervised firearms training program, provided the minor’s parent or legal guardian has granted the minor permission to participate in such program.

(c) Licensed hunters accompanying a minor while lawfully taking wildlife.

(d) Individuals supervising minors using firearms during a lawful shooting event or activity.

73:3 Breaches of the Peace and Related Offenses; Furnishing Arms to Persons Under 16. Amend RSA 644:15 to read as follows:

644:15 Furnishing Arms to Persons Under 16.

I. Any person who shall sell, barter, hire, lend, or give to any person under the age of 16 years any cartridges or shotshells suitable for discharging in any rifle, pistol, revolver, or shotgun shall be guilty of a violation.

II. This section shall not apply to:

(a) Fathers, mothers, grandparents, or guardians of such children.

(b) Individuals instructing such children in the safe use of firearms during a supervised firearms training program, provided the child’s parent or legal guardian has granted the child permission to participate in such program.

(c) Licensed hunters accompanying such children while lawfully taking wildlife.

(d) Individuals supervising such children using firearms during a lawful shooting event or activity.

73:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: April 28, 2006

Effective: April 28, 2006