The New Hampshire House of Representatives has approved legislation that would eliminate gun-free zones at publicly funded colleges and universities throughout the state, marking a significant expansion of Second Amendment rights for students and faculty.
The Republican-led chamber passed the campus carry measure on February 5 by a vote of 188 to 165, sending the bill forward in the legislative process. If ultimately enacted into law, the measure would prohibit state-funded institutions of higher education from restricting the lawful possession or use of weapons on campus grounds.
The legislation encompasses a broad range of defensive implements, including firearms, pepper spray, mace, stun guns, and tasers. Under the proposed framework, any weapon legally carried elsewhere in New Hampshire would be permitted on public college campuses.
State Representative Sam Farrington, a Republican sponsor of the bill, framed the issue as one of fundamental rights. “We in New Hampshire have made it clear: self-defense is not a privilege, it is a natural right, and natural rights are not given by governments. They are granted by God alone,” Farrington stated during floor debate.
The lawmaker also challenged what he characterized as inconsistent reasoning from opponents of the measure. “We hear college students are too drunk, they’re too immature, they’re too young to carry a firearm,” Farrington said. “My question is, how can we allow them to vote, then? And how do we let them go fight in a foreign war?”
Democratic members of the House raised concerns that the legislation could increase danger on campus grounds. However, Republican Representative Jennifer Rhodes countered these warnings with evidence from other jurisdictions. “The states that have passed campus carry have done so without any increase or risk of violence,” Rhodes noted.
The debate reflects a broader national conversation about campus safety and the role of armed self-defense in educational settings. Multiple states have enacted similar legislation in recent years, creating a patchwork of varying policies across the country regarding weapons on college campuses.
Supporters of campus carry legislation argue that responsible, law-abiding citizens should not be forced to disarm simply because they enter a college campus. They contend that gun-free zones create vulnerable targets rather than safe spaces, leaving potential victims defenseless against those who would ignore such restrictions.
The New Hampshire measure now faces additional legislative hurdles before it could become law. The bill must still navigate the state Senate and potentially face the governor’s desk, where its ultimate fate will be determined.
New Hampshire has long maintained a tradition of robust protection for gun rights, with relatively permissive firearms laws compared to neighboring New England states. This latest legislative action continues that pattern, extending existing carry rights into the realm of public higher education.
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