Bill that would ban guns in NH school zones goes to House

A bill that would ban guns in school zones in New Hampshire is on its way to a vote on the House floor.Lawmakers debated the merits of banning guns in school safe zones Wednesday in a packed committee room.Supporters of the bill said it would eliminate confusion over who represents a threat, which leads to automatic school lockdowns any time someone carrying a gun, for whatever purpose, comes near a school. "There's a lot of statistical research that indicates that introducing more guns into a situation doesn't necessarily introduce more safety into a situation and actually does the reverse," said Rep. Davie Meuse, D-Portsmouth.Opponents said passing the law would disarm law-abiding people while criminals or those looking to do harm will have the knowledge that they will face no armed opposition if they target a school."I said it on the House floor: The dead children's blood will be on the hands of those people that vote for this," said Rep. John Burt, R-Goffstown.Gov. Chris Sununu has not issued a specific veto threat regarding the bill, but he has said that he believes New Hampshire's current gun laws are adequate.

A bill that would ban guns in school zones in New Hampshire is on its way to a vote on the House floor.



Lawmakers debated the merits of banning guns in school safe zones Wednesday in a packed committee room.


Supporters of the bill said it would eliminate confusion over who represents a threat, which leads to automatic school lockdowns any time someone carrying a gun, for whatever purpose, comes near a school.

"There's a lot of statistical research that indicates that introducing more guns into a situation doesn't necessarily introduce more safety into a situation and actually does the reverse," said Rep. Davie Meuse, D-Portsmouth.

Opponents said passing the law would disarm law-abiding people while criminals or those looking to do harm will have the knowledge that they will face no armed opposition if they target a school.

"I said it on the House floor: The dead children's blood will be on the hands of those people that vote for this," said Rep. John Burt, R-Goffstown.

Gov. Chris Sununu has not issued a specific veto threat regarding the bill, but he has said that he believes New Hampshire's current gun laws are adequate.