1 New Subdivision; Lost or Stolen Firearms. Amend RSA 159 by inserting after section 26 the following new subdivision:

Lost or Stolen Firearms

159:27 Lost or Stolen Firearms.

I.(a) Any person who lawfully possesses a firearm, as defined in RSA 207:1, V-a, or a rifle, excluding an air rifle as defined in RSA 207:1, I, shotgun, or musket that is lost or stolen from such person shall report the loss or theft to the law enforcement agency in the municipality in which the loss or theft occurred or, if such municipality does not have a law enforcement agency, to the state police troop with jurisdiction over such municipality, within 72 hours of when such person discovered or should have discovered the loss or theft. The law enforcement agency or state police shall forward a copy of such report to the commissioner of the department of safety.

(b) A federal firearms licensee shall be in compliance with this section by reporting the loss or theft of a firearm as required by 27 C.F.R. section 478.39a.

II. Any person who fails to make a report required under paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first offense, and shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor for any subsequent offense. If such person purposely fails to make such report within the prescribed time period, such person shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

III. Any person who finds a lost, stolen, or abandoned firearm shall report the firearm to the local law enforcement agency in the municipality in which the firearm is found, or if such municipality does not have a law enforcement agency, to the state police troop with jurisdiction over such municipality, within 72 hours of when such person discovered or should have discovered the loss or theft. The law enforcement agency or state police shall forward a copy of such report to the commissioner of the department of safety. Such property shall be governed by the provisions of RSA 471-C and RSA 471-D. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a violation and fined not more than $100.

IV. This section shall not apply to any device used exclusively for signaling or distress use and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or the Interstate Commerce Commission, or for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets, or similar industrial ammunition.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.

1 New Subdivision; Lost or Stolen Firearms. Amend RSA 159 by inserting after section 26 the following new subdivision:

Lost or Stolen Firearms

159:27 Lost or Stolen Firearms.

I.(a) Any person who lawfully possesses a firearm, as defined in RSA 207:1, V-a, or a rifle, excluding an air rifle as defined in RSA 207:1, I, shotgun, or musket that is lost or stolen from such person shall report the loss or theft to the law enforcement agency in the municipality in which the loss or theft occurred or, if such municipality does not have a law enforcement agency, to the state police troop with jurisdiction over such municipality, within 72 hours of when such person discovered or should have discovered the loss or theft. The law enforcement agency or state police shall forward a copy of such report to the commissioner of the department of safety.

(b) A federal firearms licensee shall be in compliance with this section by reporting the loss or theft of a firearm as required by 27 C.F.R. section 478.39a.

II. Any person who fails to make a report required under paragraph I shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first offense, and shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor for any subsequent offense. If such person purposely fails to make such report within the prescribed time period, such person shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

III. Any person who finds a lost, stolen, or abandoned firearm shall report the firearm to the local law enforcement agency in the municipality in which the firearm is found, or if such municipality does not have a law enforcement agency, to the state police troop with jurisdiction over such municipality, within 72 hours of when such person discovered or should have discovered the loss or theft. The law enforcement agency or state police shall forward a copy of such report to the commissioner of the department of safety. Such property shall be governed by the provisions of RSA 471-C and RSA 471-D. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a violation and fined not more than $100.

IV. This section shall not apply to any device used exclusively for signaling or distress use and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or the Interstate Commerce Commission, or for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets, or similar industrial ammunition.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.