CONCORD – House Majority Leader Jack Flanagan (R-Brookline) offered the following statement relative to Governor Hassan’s veto of SB 116, a bill that would allow a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute.
SB 116 passed the Senate by a 14-9 vote on February 12th, and passed the House with a bipartisan majority vote of 212-150 on April 29th. The Senate concurred with the House version on June 4th.
House Majority Leader Jack Flanagan (R-Brookline)
“Governor Hassan’s veto sends the wrong message to New Hampshire’s large population of law abiding gun owners. SB 116 is a reasonable and long overdue measure that will extend freedom for our responsible firearms community, and will be an overall deterrent to crime.”
“Contrary to what opponents of the bill would like us to believe, SB 116 will not enable a proliferation of criminal activity. This bill does not extend rights of those who would be otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. Those with criminal intent will continue to obtain, carry, and use firearms in illegal ways. Impeding the rights of lawful gun owners based on the actions of criminals is unfair. House Republicans support laws that uphold our citizens’ constitutional rights, and will support overriding the Governor’s veto on SB116.”