New Hampshire Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does New Hampshire have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Assault weapons, ghost guns, and high-capacity magazines are not banned. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. No state-level background checks are needed for private transfers. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers. |
| Is New Hampshire a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. NH follows Stand Your Ground with Castle Doctrine protections. |
| What kind of restrictions does New Hampshire have? |
|
| Does New Hampshire have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No general storage law, but parents may be responsible if a child accesses the firearm. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in New Hampshire? | ✅ Yes. No limit on the number of firearms purchased. |
| Does New Hampshire have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. New Hampshire does not have an ERPO law. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in New Hampshire? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No purchase permit required. |
| Does New Hampshire have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. No state-level waiting period. |
🚫 No. Assault weapons, ghost guns, and high-capacity magazines are not banned.
🚫 No. No state-level background checks are needed for private transfers.
✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.
✅ Yes. NH follows Stand Your Ground with Castle Doctrine protections.
- ℹ️ Constitutional carry (permitless open & concealed carry for 18+)
- ℹ️ No waiting period
- ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits
- ℹ️ Concealed carry permits available for reciprocity
⚠️ No general storage law, but parents may be responsible if a child accesses the firearm.
✅ Yes. No limit on the number of firearms purchased.
🚫 No. New Hampshire does not have an ERPO law.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required.
🚫 No. No purchase permit required.
🚫 No. No state-level waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does New Hampshire allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older. |
| Does New Hampshire allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal permitless for individuals 18+ (constitutional carry since 2017). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Public places, private property with permission, and vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, government buildings, any area with posted “no firearms”. |
| States honored? | ✅ New Hampshire honors CCPs from states with similar training and background standards. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ New Hampshire CCPs are recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only applies to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional. NH issues Concealed Carry Permits (CCPs) for reciprocity and official recognition.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 18 and older.
✅ Legal permitless for individuals 18+ (constitutional carry since 2017).
✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit.
✅ Public places, private property with permission, and vehicles.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, government buildings, any area with posted “no firearms”.
✅ New Hampshire honors CCPs from states with similar training and background standards.
✅ New Hampshire CCPs are recognized in:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Only applies to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional. NH issues Concealed Carry Permits (CCPs) for reciprocity and official recognition.
- Concealed carry permits are issued by the local police department or sheriff's office in the town or city where the applicant resides. Non-resident permits are issued by the New Hampshire State Police Permits and Licensing Unit
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
New Hampshire Leadership
- Born: November 5, 1974 (Franklin, NH)
- Term Started: January 5, 2017
- Previous Role: Businessman and State Executive Councilor
- Born: January 28, 1947 (St. Charles, MO)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2009
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Born: February 27, 1958 (Boston, MA)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2017
- Committees:
- Budget
- Health Education Labor and Pensions
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs