Revision: Oct. 31, 2023, 9:20 a.m.
2024 SESSION
24-2317.0
09/08
HOUSE BILL [bill number]
AN ACT relative to the use of artificial intelligence for personal defense.
SPONSORS: [sponsors]
COMMITTEE: [committee]
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ANALYSIS
This bill affirms that, under the second amendment to the United States Constitution, a person may use autonomous artificial intelligence for defense purposes, subject to specified limitations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2317.0
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to the use of artificial intelligence for personal defense.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act may be cited to and known as the "Affirmation of Artificial Intelligence for Personal Defense Act".
2 Purpose. The second amendment to the United States Constitution already protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms, inclusive of modern technological advancements. Technology already exists that allows for the development of autonomous artificial intelligence capable of making decisions in real-time for personal defense purposes. This act affirms that the right to use autonomous artificial intelligence for personal defense is consistent with and protected by the second amendment to the United States Constitution, provided that the artificial intelligence system would make the same decision as a reasonable person would make in the given circumstance.
3 New Paragraphs; Criminal Code; Justification; Definitions. Amend RSA 627:9 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraphs:
I-a. "Artificial intelligence" means technology that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
I-b. "Autonomous artificial intelligence" means artificial intelligence that can operate and make decisions independently, without ongoing human intervention.
4 New Section; Criminal Code; Justification; Use of Artificial Intelligence. Amend RSA 627 by inserting after section 627:8-b the following new section:
627:8-c Use of Artificial Intelligence.
Consistent with the rights afforded by the second amendment to the United States Constitution, a person is justified in using autonomous artificial intelligence in any circumstance under which they would be justified by this chapter to use the level of force used by the autonomous artificial intelligence. The decision of an autonomous artificial intelligence is subject to the same standards as described in this chapter as if a natural person made the decision. If the decision of the autonomous artificial intelligence is deemed not justified under this chapter, justification shall not be available as a defense in any action or prosecution brought against the owner or employer of the artificial intelligence.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.