State and federal gun laws are regularly being drafted and amended, making it challenging to stay up to date. Therefore, keeping track of the laws that concern you and your right to bear arms can often get confusing.
Thankfully, New Hampshire is a fairly gun-friendly state, and there aren’t too many laws to keep up with.
So, let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about New Hampshire gun laws and being a responsible gun owner in the state!
The state, among the few gun-friendly states around New England, doesn’t have many laws governing the purchase of weapons. You don’t need a permit or license to get a handgun in New Hampshire. Additionally, the laws governing their purchase are just the default federal standards, i.e., to purchase a handgun, you must:
You can save even more time by purchasing a handgun through a private seller and skipping the background check. Naturally, the seller will still have to confirm your age and identification.
While you may meet all the above-mentioned requirements, you can still be forbidden from owning a weapon in certain situations. For example, you cannot own a weapon if you:
There’s great news! If the handgun you want to get qualifies as an antique weapon, you can skip all of the requirements. Just treat it like a regular item you can buy from a shop! An antique weapon is classified as any handgun that:
Essentially, any replica of an antique weapon can qualify, provided it uses the above-mentioned forms of ignition.
For everyone under the age of 21, there is one state law concerning handguns that you should be aware of. Selling or giving a firearm to a minor (those under 18) is illegal. The only exception is if it comes from a parent or legal guardian.
So, your parents or legal guardian can give you a handgun before you turn 18! So, if you’re nice to your parents, maybe you’ll get the family 1911 for your next birthday!
While you’re out shopping for a new Glock, why not pick up a shotgun as well? However, the requirements for purchasing a long gun differ slightly from those for buying a handgun.
You can actually buy a rifle faster than you could get your hands on a pistol! A long gun, like a handgun, does not require a permit or license to buy in New Hampshire. To purchase a long gun, you must:
And once again, if you buy from a private seller, you can avoid the background check, as with private handgun sales. The biggest difference between a handgun and long gun purchases is the age requirement. All the more reason to start your weapons safety training for when you finally get that 1911!
Got your new guns? Then go show them off! You can carry handguns open and concealed without a permit in New Hampshire. You can carry your handgun however you choose as long as you are legally permitted to own it!
However, while open carry is permitted, it is always a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings. It’s better not to attract any unwelcome attention to yourself if nobody around you is carrying. If everybody else is carrying, then go right ahead!
Although a CCW permit is not required in New Hampshire, it is available. The permit is mainly for those who intend to carry outside New Hampshire in reciprocal states. If you don’t intend on carrying it while out of state, you won’t need to worry about it.
Transporting your weapons isn’t too tricky, but it differs slightly for handguns and long guns. New Hampshire gun laws allow for open and concealed carry without a permit while traveling. Additionally, you can travel with a loaded handgun without a license.
However, traveling with a loaded long gun is still illegal unless you are protecting your crops or livestock. Otherwise, if your rifle is loaded, you must store it in a gun case, gun rack, or trunk.
It doesn’t end there, though… Long guns must be unloaded when transported in an off-highway recreational vehicle, snowmobile, or trailer towed by any off-highway recreational vehicle.
You can, however, ride your snowmobile with a loaded handgun as long as you are legally permitted to own a gun. So it’s not all that bad!
Hopefully, you’ll never have to use your guns except for hunting or target practice. But, when it comes to self-defense, New Hampshire has you covered. Mostly.
New Hampshire’s gun laws allow you to use lethal force in self-defense while at home. You are justified in using lethal force if you have a reasonable belief that someone is:
Of course, it is important to remember that the individual using the force must be doing so illegally. If the cops are breaking down your door because you committed a crime, they can legally shoot you. Someone trying to invade your home, however, cannot, and you’re justified in using lethal force in self-defense.
This is when things get a bit complicated. Most states have a “stand your ground” law, letting you defend yourself with lethal force outside the home. New Hampshire’s “stand your ground” policy is a little different, though.
There are some situations where you are prohibited from using lethal force in defense of yourself or someone else. For example, you cannot use lethal force if you believe you or another person can safely:
There is a big “but,” however… You have no obligation to retreat as long as you are not trespassing. So, if you have tickets to the game, you don’t have to retreat if someone shoots up the stadium.
The same counts for any public place you’re allowed to be – movies, restaurants, etc. Naturally, this doesn’t apply if you’re the one trespassing in a restricted area!
The most important thing to remember, though, is that being justified in using deadly force doesn’t mean you have to. Always use your best judgment to determine the acceptable level of force. Sometimes retreating is a safer option than standing your ground, so don’t unnecessarily put yourself or others at risk!
Then check out our guides to the Alaska Gun Laws, the Arkansas Gun Laws, the Arizona Gun Laws, or the Alabama Gun Laws. And that’s just for those starting with the letter A. For any of the others, put the name in the TGZ search box, and all the info you need will be provided.
Or if you’re looking for some recommendations for safe firearm storage, take a look at our informative comparisons of the Best Winchester Gun Safe, the Best Gun Safes, the Best In Wall Gun Safes, the Best Kodiac Safe, the Best Gun Safe under 500 Dollars, or the Best Liberty Gun Safe that you can buy in 2024.
Or, you might also like our reviews of the Best Biometric Gun Safe, the Best Cannon Gun Safe, the Best Gun Safes under 1000 Dollars, the Best Stack On Gun Safe, or the Best Car Gun Safes currently on the market.
That’s It, Folks! That’s all the info you need about the gun laws of New Hampshire!
All that’s left is getting yourself a nice gun safe to store your new toys. A reliable safe can protect your weapons from curious kids and prying eyes. If you’d like to start small, a quality handgun safe is a worthwhile investment. Something like the RPNB Gun Safe, California DOJ Certified Gun Safe, or if you have a larger collection, check out the Atripark 10-12 Gun Rifle Safe, Gun Safes for Home Rifles and Pistols.
Now grab your rifle and get some practice at the range! Safe shooting!
