SB 593  - AS INTRODUCED

2024 SESSION

24-3148

09/05

SENATE BILL 593

AN ACT relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

SPONSORS: Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37; Rep. Brennan, Merr. 9; Rep. D. Paige, Carr. 1

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits carrying a firearm in a safe school zone.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-3148

09/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  New Section; Possession of Firearms in a Safe School Zone.  Amend RSA 159 by inserting after section 19-a the following new section:

159:19-b  Possession of a Firearm in a Safe School Zone.  

I.  No person shall knowingly carry a firearm, as defined in RSA 173-B:1, XI, in a safe school zone, as defined in RSA 193-D.  Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

II.  This section shall not apply to:

(a)  Any person picking up or dropping off a student, provided the firearm remains in a motor vehicle, is not loaded, and is in either a locked container or a locked firearms rack.

(b)  Any person authorized in writing by the school board or duly authorized designee to possess a firearm.  Such authorization shall specify the weapon or weapons that have been authorized, the purpose and scope of the authorization, and the time period for which the authorization applies.

(c)  Any duly appointed law enforcement officer, properly trained school resource officer, or member of the armed services of the United States or National Guard when on duty.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.