Gun Laws in New Hampshire
Gun Friendliness Score
How We Calculate Gun Friendliness Scores
The Gun Friendliness Score ranges from 0 to 100 and represents how favorable a state's laws are toward gun ownership and use. We evaluate each state across 50 key gun policies, assigning points based on how these policies affect gun owners:
- Policies that support gun rights, reduce restrictions, or expand legal protections for gun owners receive positive points
- Policies that restrict firearm ownership, limit purchase options, or add regulatory burdens receive negative points
New Hampshire's exceptional score of 94 reflects the state's constitutional carry laws, minimal restrictions on firearm types, strong preemption laws, and robust self-defense protections.
New Hampshire Gun Laws Summary
New Hampshire has established itself as one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation. The state has minimal restrictions on firearms and ammunition, often avoiding duplication of federal regulations and not imposing additional burdens beyond what federal law requires.
New Hampshire is a shall-issue state for concealed weapons permits, though permits are entirely optional. Local law enforcement agencies handle permit issuance, and qualifying applicants will receive their permits without discretionary denial. While not required, obtaining a permit provides advantages including reciprocity with other states and streamlined firearm purchases.
Since February 22, 2017, New Hampshire has been a constitutional carry state when Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 582 into law. Any law-abiding citizen or legal resident who is at least 18 years old and legally permitted to possess a firearm can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. New Hampshire was the twelfth state in modern times to adopt constitutional carry, further cementing its reputation as a state that strongly protects Second Amendment rights.
Permitting, Sales and Transfers
No permits are required to purchase firearms or ammunition in New Hampshire. Background checks are conducted for sales through federally licensed dealers (FFLs) as required by federal law, using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Private sales between individuals require no background check, permit, or registration. New Hampshire law explicitly prohibits any state or local governmental unit from maintaining a registry of firearm transfers or firearm ownership.
Firearms in Public and in the Home
New Hampshire is a constitutional carry state where no permit is required for open or concealed carry. Residents aged 18 and older who can legally possess firearms may carry without a permit, while non-residents must be at least 21 years old or have a valid carry permit from their home state. New Hampshire honors concealed carry permits from most states.
Open carry is legal without a permit for anyone 18 years or older who can legally possess a firearm. Certain locations prohibit carry, including federal buildings, courthouses, and school property. For those who choose to obtain a permit, New Hampshire does not require formal training but applicants must demonstrate they understand relevant laws. Non-residents can obtain permits if they work in New Hampshire or have business in the state.
Firearm, Feature and Accessory Bans
New Hampshire has no bans on semi-automatic firearms, detachable magazines, or firearms with specific features. There are no magazine capacity restrictions. All NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, etc.) are legal to own provided federal requirements are met. New Hampshire law specifically prevents local governments from enacting any regulations more restrictive than state law.
Local Laws
New Hampshire has strong statewide preemption of firearms laws. State law explicitly prohibits counties, cities, towns, and other political subdivisions from enacting any ordinance, regulation, tax, or rule relating to firearms. This ensures uniform gun laws throughout the state and prevents local governments from creating a patchwork of regulations that could confuse gun owners and potentially criminalize otherwise lawful behavior.
2025 Gun Law Checklist
New Hampshire Gun Policy Profile: 50 Key Legislative Points
Purchasing and Sales Regulations
Background Check for Any Firearm Sale
State requires any firearm sale to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) and be subject to a background check. (Federal law requires those "engaged in the business" of buying/selling firearms to perform a background check during a sale). A private sale or transfer of any firearm between individuals (non-family members) must be also conducted through an FFL.
Background Check for Any Handgun Sale (Including Private Sales)
All handgun sales and most transfers are subject to a background check. Private sales of handguns between individuals (non-family members) must be conducted through an FFL.
Background Check Extensions
State will halt the transfer of a firearm if a background check is delayed. Some states will halt the process indefinitely, some for a set amount of time.
Failed Background Check Reported to Law Enforcement
The firearm dealer (or state agency conducting the background check) has a responsibility to notify local law enforcement of a failed background check.
Must be 21 or Older to Purchase
Most firearms–including rifles, shotguns, and handguns–cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21. (Federal laws permit long guns to be sold to those over the age of 18.)
Permit to Purchase
State requires a permit (single-use or renewable) for all firearms or specifically for handguns. States typically charge a fee for the permit and a background check is performed during the application.
Mandatory Waiting Periods
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must wait a specified period (typically between 3-14 days) between initiating the purchase and taking possession of the firearm.
State Licenses All Gun Dealers
State has a licensing system for firearms merchants above and beyond the federal (FFL) system.
Purchase Rejected for Public Safety Reasons
State officials able to block sales of firearms if the purchaser is deemed to be a threat to themselves or to public safety (according to the judgment of the official)
Approved Handgun Roster
State controls what make and model handguns are sold; according to their own criteria. Often, this involves a "roster" of approved handguns with the right "safety" features, such as a loaded chamber indicator, or even the amount of metal in the firearm (Maryland). Often, LE are exempt from these requirements.
Strict Unfinished Frames and Receivers Laws
State sets a lower threshold for unfinished frames and receivers (beyond ATF rule 2021R-05F). Includes ban on 3D-printing of these parts in some states.
Ownership and Registration Requirements
Permit to Possess
Several states require a permit just to possess: a handgun (New York); any firearms or ammunition (Illinois).
State Firearm or Handgun Registry
State keeps a record of every firearm or handgun sold. Includes states with a permit to purchase and states that keep records of purchases.
Mandatory Firearms Training
Prior to purchasing a firearm, an individual must prove they completed the state ordered training. Often, this is part of the application process for a Permit to Purchase.
Secure Storage Requirement
Gun owners must lock up firearms in the home (or anywhere else a minor or prohibited person may have access).
Magazine Capacity Limits
State limits magazine capacity for some or all firearms.
"Assault Weapons" Ban
Magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire rifles cannot have other "features" (pistol grip, flash hider, etc.) or they are considered "assault weapons." New guns cannot be registered as "assault weapons." Possession is prohibited with limited exceptions.
Microstamping Law
State has a law banning the sale of a new pistol unless its firing can imprint its serial number somewhere on the cartridge case during firing. This technology is make-believe at present, but these laws will effectively ban the sale of new handguns in the state if/when they become effective
Penalties for Not Reporting a Lost or Stolen Firearm
Gun owners must report the loss or theft of firearms–usually within several days of the incident or first discovering the loss–or potentially face a criminal penalty.
Carry and Location Restrictions
Mandatory Permit for Concealed Carry
State requires a permit to carry a concealed pistol. This includes all states that "may issue" a permit (where officials may deny a permit for subjective reasons).
Officials Can Deny Carry Permit
State allows the carry permit officials to deny an application based on the state's own criteria.
Open Carry Limited or Banned
State restricts open carry to rifles and shotguns or bans open carry completely unless you are LE or special permit holder.
No Carry Mandate for College Campuses
State has not passed a blanket law permitting concealed carry on college campuses.
Gun Ban on Most Public Property
State limits or bans any type of carry in and around government facilities (state, county, municipal) and/or limits carry of firearms in parades and demonstrations
Guns Banned in Bars
State prohibits carry inside bars or consumption of alcohol while carrying.
No Guns in K-12 Schools
Only LE (and in some states, specially licensed school officials) may carry on school property.
Does Not Recognize Other States' Carry Permits
State doesn't consider concealed carry permits from other states valid
Prohibited Persons and Possession Restrictions
Felons are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting felons from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Fugitives are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting fugitives from justice from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this.
Involuntarily Committed are Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those who have been involuntarily committed (to a psychiatric hospital or mental institution), or those found to be a danger to themselves or others from owning guns and ammo. Federal law already prohibits anyone found to be mentally defective or committed to a mental institution at 16 years or older.
Violent Offenders Cannot Possess
State will take away firearms, deny future possession, or at minimum deny future purchase of firearms for certain misdemeanor crimes of violence (besides domestic violence violence).
Domestic Violence Offenders Also Prohibited Persons at State Level
State has a law prohibiting those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning guns and ammo, even though federal law already does this
Stalkers are Prohibited Persons at the State Level
State has either made stalking a felony (instant prohibitor) or makes an individual convicted of misdemeanor stalking a prohibited person.
Intervention and Seizure Provisions
Red Flag Law
Law enforcement (and others, depending on the state) is allowed to request that firearms be taken away from others with limited due process.
Emergency Gun Seizure Before Restraining Orders
Similar to a red flag law, state will take away guns before an actual conviction. This is often during domestic disputes, before a restraining order takes effect, and in similar situations.
Guns Seized for Hate Crimes
State will take away all firearms from an individual in response to a misdemeanor hate crime conviction.
Guns Seized After Becoming Prohibited
State will quickly respond when an individual's status changes to prohibited and take away all firearms belonging to that person.
Guns Seized After Domestic Violence Conviction
State will quickly respond to take away firearms from an individual if they are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Guns Seized Amid Restraining Orders
State will take away all firearms from anyone who is subject to a restraining order, even though federal law already does this.
No Stand Your Ground Law
State imposes a "duty to retreat" before using force or requires "proportional force" when responding to an attack or dangerous situation with force.
Monitoring and Threat Assessment
Mental Health Database
State maintains records of anyone that has been committed or involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals. They send this information to the FBI for use by the NICS (or when conducting a state background check, if applicable).
School Officials Conduct Threat Assessments
Teams of mostly school officials are empowered by law to refer children for mental health assessments or take more drastic action if they believe the child poses a threat to themselves or others.
Mandatory Tracing of "Crime Guns"
Law enforcement must use either a state system or the federal firearm tracing system to research any firearm recovered from a crime scene or used in a crime.
Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability
No LE Officers Bill of Rights
Some states never passed (or passed and later repealed) a set of basic protections for public safety officers. These protections vary by state. They often include the right to engage in political activity and run for public office, and the right to refuse a lie detector test, among other things.
Heavy Restrictions on LE Use of Deadly Force
State laws severely limit the discharge of firearms to apprehend criminals, including against individuals suspected of murder or fleeing a felony in many cases.
Reports for LE Deadly Force Incidents
Law enforcement agencies are required to report any officer-involved shootings that result in serious injury or death. Monthly or annual reports are compiled using this data and made available to the public.
No Qualified Immunity Defense Laws
In civil court, LE officials may not use a defense of qualified immunity if they are accused of certain civil rights violations. This includes situations in which a firearm was used.
Prevention and Support Programs
Dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Some states have passed legislation creating gun violence prevention offices that target "community gun violence." Taxpayer funds are used to support these programs, which may have little to no effect on violent crime.
Funding for Services of Victims of Gun Violence
Some states maximize the use of federal money intended for victims of violent crime by increasing pool of eligible claimants. Money is paid out to families of convicted felons in many cases.
Local Control
Counties / Cities / Towns Can Pass Stricter Gun Laws
Local governments are free to pass their own gun control laws in addition to any existing laws at the federal and state levels. Some states prohibit local governments from passing laws about specific things-including guns. This is known as preemption.
Conclusion
In this piece, we discuss the ammunition and firearms laws that apply in the state of New Hampshire. To do so, this piece starts off with ammunition laws, with a focus on the legal requirements to have ammunition shipped to a residential address within the state. Then, the piece turns to the gun laws, first examining the legal processes to purchase firearms in NH, and then the rules around the carriage of firearms in New Hampshire. To wrap things up, the piece concludes with some resources that we think you will find handy if you plan to legally buy, own, and carry guns and ammo in the state.
This piece is not intended as legal advice. Instead, we hope that you use the information here to make your own, informed decisions.
New Hampshire, like most states, has preemption. This means that the state’s laws mandate that localities such as counties, cities, and towns cannot make or enforce firearms laws that are stricter than those at the state level. Preemption makes owning guns in New Hampshire a little simpler because once you understand state gun and ammo laws, that understanding can guide your actions in the entire state.
New Hampshire’s gun laws are among the most lax in the nation: this is uncharacteristic of the Northeast as a region, and it is arguably the most permissive state in the area in terms of ammunition and firearms laws. Most of the rules and regulations for buying ammunition and firearms in the state come from the federal level.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in New Hampshire
First, we will cover the ammo laws of the state.
New Hampshire has permissive ammunition laws, as the state does not have a blanket ban on any type of ammunition. Thus, purchasing ammo in the state is governed by federal regulations.
The ATF has two sets of requirements for purchasing ammunition. The first is an age requirement: buyers have to be eighteen years of age to buy ammo for long guns such as shotguns and rifles, and at least twenty-one to buy handgun ammunition.
Secondly, ammo buyers cannot be prohibited persons. The ATF defines prohibited persons as those who have been convicted of domestic violence or a felony, people who have been found mentally unfit in a court, and people who have been involuntarily committed for treatment at an inpatient mental health facility.
Assuming that the buyer meets those requirements, the New Hampshire state government is fine with having ammunition shipped to a residential address within the state. Do keep in mind that carriers can and do sometimes impose additional rules, such as asking for someone with a valid ID to be present to sign for packages containing ammunition.
Since New Hampshire does not impose regulations in addition to those that come from the federal government, the ammunition laws in New Hampshire are among the most permissive in the country.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in New Hampshire
Next, we will do the same exercise for New Hampshire gun laws.
New Hampshire is unusually permissive for a state in the Northeast when it comes to purchasing firearms. There is no state-level ban on magazines. Neither is there a ban on assault weapons, which most states in the region have, defining assault weapons by name or by drawing up a list of features. New Hampshire is also fine with their residents owning NFA items such as machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles and shotguns.
The process for purchasing a firearm from an FFL in New Hampshire follows federal guidelines. The prospective buyer should bring both a valid form of identification as well as their payment to the gun store. There, the FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF’s Form 4473 to do a background check and make a record of the purchase. Once the background check clears and the payment has been accepted, the buyer can leave with their firearm on the same day. New Hampshire does not impose additional waiting periods on gun purchases.
The state does not mandate that people selling firearms privately conduct background checks on the buyers. With that said, it is always wise to ensure that the buyer meets the age requirements mandated by federal law, and is not a prohibited person.
Carrying firearms in New Hampshire is very permissive as well: the state allows for permitless carriage of firearms, whether openly or concealed. There is a slight exception to this, likely to prevent poaching of game animals: the state forbids long guns from being carried openly inside of a vehicle.
Like most states with permitless carry, New Hampshire continues to issue concealed carry permits. The primary benefit of these permits is that they allow people to carry firearms in other states, though, in the case of New Hampshire, few states in the region recognize anyone else’s permits. For those who travel the country more broadly, a New Hampshire permit is fairly useful.
Every state has certain places where firearms cannot be carried at all, and New Hampshire is no exception. In this state, guns cannot be carried in:
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Courtrooms
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Federal Property
This statutory list above is among the shortest in the country. Keep in mind that other places that are private property, such as churches, casinos, and hospitals can generally forbid firearms as long as there is signage posted or warnings given.
New Hampshire is home to one of Sig Sauer’s major American corporate facilities: with their new awarding of massive US Military contracts, Sig USA’s presence is likely to only expand in the future.
Overall, New Hampshire is one of the most permissive states in the country in terms of its gun laws. For instance, its list of places where firearms are not permitted is shorter than even some very permissive states. While its gun attitudes are certainly a departure from many of its neighbors, the sheer permissiveness of the firearm and ammo laws in the state stick close to the Constitution.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in New Hampshire
Good news for gun buyers: New Hampshire has a state tax rate of 0% on most sales, including firearms. Additionally, the state does not impose additional, specific taxes on guns and ammo. This is uncommon, and results in substantial savings for New Hampshire gun buyers.
More Resources
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including in New Hampshire. This list can be used to find local gun stores, which are usually either Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Wheretoshoot.org is an excellent tool for finding ranges that are convenient for you. Use the mileage, city, and zip code filters to find ranges in New Hampshire, or anywhere else in the country. Users can add new ranges, too, and the information is frequently checked for accuracy.
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There are a number of well-rated gun stores in the state.
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There is a somewhat active Facebook Group for New Hampshire Gun Owners that focuses on the events hosted by local retailers, as well as relevant political happenings in the state.