Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Heated public hearing on bill to allow firearms on New Hampshire college campuses
Summary
Hundreds of residents, students, campus leaders and law‑enforcement officials testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee about HB17‑93, which would restrict campuses’ ability to ban firearms. Supporters cited self‑defense; opponents warned of higher suicide risk, policing complications and financial exposure.
A long, often emotional hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 31 examined HB17‑93, a bill that would bar public colleges and universities that accept public funds from prohibiting people from carrying firearms on campus.
The prime sponsor framed the bill as restoring a constitutional right for adults on public property. "When you go to college, you are entering the adult world," a supporter said, and adults should not be treated as "second‑class citizens" when it comes to self‑defense.
Opponents — including presidents of the University System of New Hampshire and campus police chiefs — said the measure would be the most permissive campus‑carry law in the country and would strip colleges of authority to manage safety in dorms, classrooms, arenas…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
