[Posted January 1, 2010, at 10:20 p.m.] There are two very dangerous bills scheduled for public hearings in Concord on Monday, January 11, starting at 1:00 p.m.:
HB 1635 would ban open carry of firearms and knives in a "public building," including buildings or "places" used by the state, cities/towns, and UNH.
HB 1654 would ban carrying firearms and knives, "whether open or concealed or whether licensed or unlicensed" in the State House and LOB (Legislative Office Building, where most public hearings are held); violation would be a FELONY. The bill calls for metal detectors and gun safes at the State House and LOB.
Links for HB1635: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1635.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2196&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1635&q=1 (docket).
Links for HB1654: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1654.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2678&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1654&q=1 (docket).
The hearings are on Monday, January 11, at 1:00 p.m. (for HB 1654) and 2:00 p.m. (for HB 1635) in rooms 210-211 of the Legislative Office Building (behind the State House). These hearings will be held in joint session of the NH House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the House Legislative Administration Committee. Check the state website ("docket" links) for changes in date/time/location.
Please attend these hearings and oppose the bills. Also, alert your state representative(s) about your opposition to these bills. Remember, you can find your state representatives and senator through http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx .
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In addition, there are several other bills of interest ready for public hearings:
HB1201: Please see the article on our website: http://pgnh.org/hb1201_an_opportunity_to_fix_a_bad_law . The hearing on this bill is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, at 1:00 p.m. before the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee in Room 307 of the Legislative Office Building. Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1201.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2339&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1201&q=1 (docket).
Hearing dates for the other bills have not been scheduled as of yet (12/30/09); go to http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/quick_search.html to find the text and dockets for these bills:
HB1665 knife bill (see the article on our website: http://pgnh.org/protecting_your_knife_rights_by_representative_jennifer_coffey ). Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1665.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2015&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1665&q=1 (docket).
HB1161 repeal of license to sell pistols. Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1161.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2302&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1161&q=1 (docket).
HB1447 about discharging firearms in compact areas. Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1447.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2028&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1447&q=1 (docket).
HB1285 Firearms Freedom Act 1. Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1285.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2014&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1285&q=1 (docket).
HB1433 Firearms Freedom Act 2. Links: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1433.html (text); http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2351&sy=2010&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2010&txtbillnumber=hb1433&q=1 (docket).