Hide Transcript Show Transcript

HIS VETOES ARE NOT A HUGE SURPRISE - BUT THEY ARE GETTING A LOT OF RESPONSE. THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES ARE DRAWING BOTH CRITICISM AND PRAISE - ESPECIALLY WITH RENEWED FOCUS ON GUN CONTROL AFTER RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY (GUN FILE) THE BILLS WOULD HAVE EXPANDED BACKGROUND CHECKS TO ALL COMMERCIAL SALES... ADDED A THREE DAY WAITING PERIOD BETWEEN THE PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF A FIREARM... AND CREATE "GUN FREE SCHOOL ZONES" IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. (GRAPHIC) THE GOVERNOR DID NOT DO INTERVIEWS, BUT RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING: "NEW HAMPSHIRE IS ONE OF THE SAFEST STATES IN THE NATION, AND WE HAVE A LONG AND PROUD TRADITION OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STEWARDSHIP. (SCHOOL FILE) HE CITED SCHOOL SECURITY INVESTMENTS, EFFORTS TO FOSTER DIVERSITY, AND ADDED: (GRAPHIC) "THESE THREE BILLS WOULD NOT SOLVE OUR NATIONAL ISSUES NOR WOULD THEY PREVENT EVIL INDIVIDUALS FROM DOING HARM, BUT THEY WOULD FURTHER RESTRICT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF LAW ABIDING NEW HAMPSHIRE CITIZENS. <XXXXX 2124 46:55 THEY ALL INFRINGE UPON PROPERTY RIGHTS, OR RIGHTS OF DUE PROCESS, RIGHTS TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS OF THE PEOPLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND WITH NO REAL FORESEEABLE TANGIBLE RESULT, THEY DONT REALLY PROTECT ANYBODY 47:10 XXXXX> (STATEHOUSE) BUT STATEHOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY THE BILLS WOULD HAVE HELPED SAVED LIVES <XXXXX ((CLIP 0011)) ((1:47 - 1:57)) "IT'S JUST A TERRIBLE SHAME THE GOVERNOR COULDN'T SEE FIT TO SIGN ANY OF THESE BILLS, PARTICULARLY BACKGROUND CHECKS, THAT 90% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT." XXXXXX> THE SENATE PRESIDENT ALSO SAYING SHE HOPES THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY SOON TO OVERRIDE TODAY'S VETO

Advertisement Sununu vetoes 3 gun bills, citing NH’s ‘culture of responsible gun ownership, individual freedom' Governor says bills would not solve ‘national issues’ or prevent violence by ‘evil’ people

Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday vetoed three bills that advocates said would have added “commonsense” protections for Granite Staters against gun violence but opponents said would have done nothing to stop mass shootings and would have infringed on the constitutional rights of citizens.Sununu vetoed House 109, which closes the so-called gun show loophole and requires background checks for virtually all commercial firearms sales or transfers; House Bill 514, which requires a three-day waiting period before the purchase and delivery of a firearm; and House Bill 564, which prohibits carrying a firearm on school property.“New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the nation, and we have a long and proud tradition of responsible firearm ownership. Our laws are well-crafted and fit our culture of responsible gun ownership and individual freedom,” Sununu wrote in a single veto message on all three bills.The vetoes came less than a week after mass shootings killed more than 30 people in Texas and Ohio. The timing further fueled the outrage of supporters of the bills on an issue that sparks strong emotions on both sides under ordinary circumstances.President Donald Trump, hours before the Sununu vetoes, told reporters in Washington that he supports "commonsense" and "meaningful" background checks, without being specific. But he said he wanted to check with the National Rifle Association.But Sununu wrote: “These three bills would not solve our national issues nor would they prevent evil individuals from doing harm, but they would further restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding New Hampshire citizens.”Read the governor's veto message on House bills 109, 514 and 564 here.“Our focus as a nation must be on addressing the root causes of hate and violence,” Sununu wrote. “Here in New Hampshire, we have taken multiple steps to address our mental health needs and to build a more welcoming and tolerant state.He cited the creation of a school safety task force, “rebuilding our state’s mental health system, including the largest investment of resources in decades …”Sununu cited his establishment of a Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion and the creation of a Civil Rights Unit in the Attorney General’s Office “to step up prosecution of hate crimes,” adding that taken together, “We are taking steps to ensure the safety of our citizens is paramount.”The governor cited Part I, Article 2-a of the New Hampshire Constitution, which states, “All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families and their property and the state.”“This language provides what many believe to be more expansive legal protections for gun ownership than the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution,” he wrote.The bills passed the Democratic-controlled House and Senate mostly along party lines. The Legislature will likely meet next month to address all of the governor's vetoes, but since overrides are unlikely since two-thirds majorities are required.Senate President Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, signed off on the bills on Monday, sending them to Sununu, who had five days to act.Soucy made it clear in a statement Monday her timing was meant to emphasize what she views as a need for further gun-related restrictions “in memory and honor of more than 30 people killed by gun violence this weekend.” She called the bills “commonsense preventative measures that will save lives.”“Why in the world would we possibly wait any longer?” Soucy said.After the veto, Soucy said, "Since there have been more mass shootings than days this year, our thoughts and prayers are empty gestures without the courage and conviction to act to prevent future tragedies. That’s why it is so deeply disappointing that in the midst of a national crisis and in the wake of two mass shootings, Gov. Sununu is holding New Hampshire back from making progress on gun violence ­­­prevention."Sen. Martha Hennessey, D-Hanover, sponsored the bill that would have outlawed guns on school grounds."Unfortunately, Gov. Sununu is once again standing with the NRA to the detriment of public safety," Hennessey said. "Just days before a visit from President Trump, whose racist rhetoric is spurring violent action, Gov. Sununu refused to take action to prevent gun violence but chose instead to scapegoat people who experience mental illness and downplay the common denominator in these mass shootings, easy access to firearms, to appease corporate lobbyists and campaign donors. New Hampshire deserves better.”But House Republican Leader Richard Hinch of Londonderry sided with Sununu, saying in a statement: “New Hampshire is consistently ranked as one of the safest states in the nation. The vast majority of gun owners in New Hampshire are honest, law abiding citizens.“These bills are an unnecessary attempt to solve a problem that doesn’t exist in our state. This excessive government overreach has the potential to make criminals out of responsible gun owners. Had these bills become law, they would have done nothing to alleviate the concerns of the bills’ proponents, and I support the decision of Gov. Sununu to veto them.”