Revision: May 14, 2026, 8:11 p.m.
Sen. Carson, Dist 14
Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
May 14, 2026
2026-1987s
09/08
Floor Amendment to HB 609-FN
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State. Amend RSA 159:26 to read as follows:
159:26 Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State.
I. To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, [or] knives, or other self-defense tools in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms or knives businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.
I-a. To the extent consistent with federal law, the general court of New Hampshire shall have exclusive authority and jurisdiction to make laws and delegate authority to adopt rules, regulations, and policies regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, or other matters relating to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property.
I-b. All rules, regulations, and policies adopted under any authority delegated by the general court pursuant to this section shall be adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A.
I-c. No rule, regulation, or policy adopted or instituted by an executive branch agency regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, or other matters relating to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property, shall continue or remain in effect after July 1, 2029, unless renewed or re-adopted pursuant to this section.
II. Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I relative to the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, [or] knives, or other self-defense tools shall be null and void.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2026-1987s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill provides that the state has authority and jurisdiction over the regulation of firearms, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, and other self-defense tools, to the extent consistent with federal law, and exclusive authority and jurisdiction to make laws and delegate authority to adopt rules regarding the same by state employees or on state property. This bill also provides that no rule, regulation, or policy adopted or instituted by an executive branch agency regarding the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting or other matters relating to firearms, firearm component, ammunition firearms supplies, stun guns, Tasers, pepper spray devices, knives, or other self-defense tools, by state employees or on state property shall continue or remain in effect after July 1, 2029, unless renewed or re-adopted.