N.H. Set to Nix Gun Permits, Expand Castle Doctrine

New Hampshire lawmakers Wednesday moved to change gun restrictions in the state to allow anyone to carry a firearm without a permit, the Union Leader reported Thursday.

The state House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee passed a bill to lifts the permit restriction. The bill also removes regulations regarding transporting firearms in vehicles. While the bill lifts certain gun laws, others will still be in effect.

State Rep. Kenneth Kreis, a Canterbury Republican, who chaired the sub-committee that worked on the bill, said the law would allow someone to carry a weapon on a snowmobile for example, but that person could still be prosecuted for hunting out of season if he shot a deer.

“I don’t believe any of us want a 16-year-old carrying a concealed weapon,” he told the newspaper.

The bill is one of three measures designed to expand the state’s “Castle Doctrine” to public places. Under current law, a person is allowed to use deadly force in their home if the life is threatened.