Joining 11 other states in the Union, today the New Hampshire Governor signed a bill into law allowing for the concealed carry of weapons without a permit. Known as ‘Constitutional Carry’ the law allows both residents and non-residents to carry unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Previously, a concealed weapons permit was required and was approved by the Chief of Police of a residents town or city.

For those readers who are concerned that this story is too political in nature for TFB – fear not. News is news and no partisan analysis will be provided.

CONCORD – With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Chris Sununu will make it easier for many Granite Staters to carry concealed weapons. The governor is scheduled to sign into law Wednesday morning a measure repeals the need for a permit or license to carry a concealed handgun. The bill passed the GOP dominated state Senate in a 13-10 party line vote last month. Earlier this month, by a two-to-one margin, the measure easily sailed through the Republican controlled state House of Representatives. Similar bills passed the GOP dominated state Senate and state House of Representatives the past two years, but were both vetoed by then-Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan. Her predecessor in the Corner Office, fellow Democratic Gov. John Lynch, vetoed similar measures in 2006 and 2011. But Sununu, the first Republican governor in New Hampshire in a dozen years, has repeatedly said he’ll sign the bill into law. Last month, following the measure’s passage in the state Senate, Sununu wrote “I am pleased that the State Senate today voted to advance common sense legislation in support of a citizen’s fundamental right to carry a firearm, joining neighboring states throughout the region and across the country.” Current law gives local police chiefs the right to determine if a person’s “suitable” to carry a concealed weapon. Supporters of the bill, known officially as SB12, pointed to the neighboring states of Vermont and Maine, which don’t require permits to carry concealed handguns. In arguing in favor of the bill earlier this month, state House Majority Leader Dick Hinch argued the measure “is a reasonable and long overdue measure that provides clarity, will enhance freedom for our responsible firearms community. And will be an overall deterrent to crime.” “This is a commonsense legislation that allows people to protect themselves and their loved ones by exercising the second amendment rights,” Hinch added. Supporters of the measure call it ‘constitutional carry,’ and Hinch said “law abiding gun owners deserve their rights to be fully upheld without the existing state law creating unnecessary barriers.