New Hampshire Concealed Carry Laws & Information

We try to stay as up to date as possible, but always check with local law enforcement to be sure about which states honor your states permit.

The following states have permitless carry. This means that if you can legally possess a firearm in that state you can carry it concealed without a permit/license. You still have to abide by all conceaeled carry laws in that state. Please note that the last three states only allow residents to carry without a permit/license. Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, Idaho (Residents Only), North Dakota (Residents Only), Wyoming (Residents Only).

Information compiled from various state government and private sites from around the web.

Reciprocity: How This State Honors Other States Permits & Licenses

New Hampshire recognises permits from the following states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.

Anyone who can legally possess a firearm can carry it concealed in New Hampshire under their Permitless Carry Law. Their Reciprocity laws and how they honored other states permits didn’t change when they went permitless carry.

New Hampshire residents can carry a concealed defensive firearm in the state of Oklahoma without any type of permit/license. You must carry your state issued ID when carrying your firearm in Oklahoma.

Title XII 159:6-d Full Faith and Credit for Licenses From Other States; Reciprocity.

The director of the division of state police shall negotiate and enter into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions to recognize in those jurisdictions the validity of the license issued under RSA 159:6. The director shall apply to every jurisdiction with which New Hampshire does not have a reciprocity agreement, at least once every 5 years to obtain recognition in those jurisdictions of the license issued under RSA 159:6. Any such agreement executed shall not expire unless an expiration date is required under the statutes of the reciprocal jurisdiction.

Permitless Carry

Title XII 159:6 License to Carry

III. The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver under this section or under any other provision of law shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one’s person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire.

How to Apply for a New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit

Even though New Hampshire is a Permitless Carry state, they will still issue permits to residents and non-residents to carry and that process has not changed.

The Local Police or Sheriff issue resident permits and you can contact them to request for forms or print one from online. Take it to your Police/Sheriff along with your State Photo Drivers License/ID. The process is simple and straight forward, and the cost is $10 and the License/Permit is valid for 5 years.

How to Obtain A Non-Resident New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit

The New Hampshire State Police issue Non-Resident permits. Contact them at:

Department of Safety

Division of State Police

Permits and Licensing Unit

33 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03305

New Hampshire State Police will send you the proper paperwork or you can download and print off an application and fill it out and mail it in. Cost is $100 and the Permit/License is valid for 5 years.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled on June 2, 2016 that a Non-Resident did not have to have a permit from their home state before they could apply. For Non-Resident permit application, go here.

Places You Can Not Carry Even With a New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit

Title XII § 159:19 Courtroom Security.

I. No person shall knowingly carry a loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver, or firearm or any other deadly weapon as defined in RSA 625:11, V, whether open or concealed or whether licensed or unlicensed, upon the person or within any of the person's possessions owned or within the person's control in a courtroom or area used by a court. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class B felony.

II. Firearms may be secured at the entrance to a courthouse by courthouse security personnel.

III. For purposes of paragraph I, "area used by a court" means:

(a) In a building dedicated exclusively to court use, the entire building exclusive of the area between the entrance and the courthouse security.
(b) In any other building which includes a court facility, courtrooms, jury assembly rooms, deliberation rooms, conference and interview rooms, the judge's chambers, other court staff facilities, holding facilities, and corridors, stairways, waiting areas, and elevators directly connecting these rooms and facilities.

IV. The provisions of this section shall not apply to marshals, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, police or other duly appointed or elected law enforcement officers, bailiffs and court security officers, or persons with prior authorization of the court for the purpose of introducing weapons into evidence and as otherwise provided for in RSA 159:5.

V. It shall be an affirmative defense to any prosecution under paragraph I that there was no notice of the provisions of paragraph I posted in a conspicuous place at each public entrance to the court building.

Do “No Gun Signs” Have the Force of Law?

The answer NO, because New Hampsghire "No Firearm” signs have no force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a Permit/License to Carry. If you are in a place not specifically mentioned in the law that is posted and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave then you are breaking the law and can be charged. Even if the property is not posted and you are asked to leave you must leave. Always be aware of the possibility that responding Police Officers who may have been called without your knowledge and may not know the laws on trespass etc. could arrest you even if you are within the law.

Must Inform Officer Immediately on Contact By Law?

Not necessarily.

Title XII 159:6 License to Carry

Open Carry Without a Valid Permit/License in New Hampshire

Open Carry is legal. New Hampshire also has Permitless Carry. Anyone who can legally possess a firearm can carry open or concealed without any type of permit/license.

Title XII 159:6 License to Carry

The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities can’t have Laws/Ordinances against open carry. Remember that if you enter any property and the owner/responsible person ask you to leave you must leave. Failure to leave can result in Trespass Charges. The Minimum age for Open Carry is 18. From what I hear Open Carry is not rare in New Hampshire.

Open Carry could be forbidden in places where those with a valid permit/license can carry, please continue reading for more.

Car/RV Carry Without a New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit

Title XII 159:6 License to Carry

State Preemption

State Jurisdiction Title XII 159:26 Firearms and Ammunition; Authority of the State

I. To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.

II. Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I relative to the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, or firearms supplies shall be null and void.

Laws Regarding Deadly Force

Title LXII: Criminal Code

Chapter 627: Justification

§627:1 General Rule
§627:1-a Civil Immunity.
§627:2 Public Duty
§627:3 Competing Harms
§627:4 Physical Force in Defense of a Person
§627:5 Physical Force in Law Enforcement
§627:6 Physical Force by Persons with Special Responsibilities
§627:7 Use of Force in Defense of Premises
§627:8 Use of Force in Property Offenses
§627:8-a Use of Force by Merchants
§627:8-b Detention Powers of County Fair Security Guards
§627:9 Definitions

Laws Regarding Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns, and Higher Capacity Magazines

There are no restrictions in New Hampshire Law concerning Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns Or Higher Capacity Magazine Bans.

Airport Carry and Other Misc. Information

Airport Carry: No Statute/Rule/Reg found that states it is illegal to carry in Parking Lot/Terminal

Training Valid for: No Set Time Period

Time Period to Establish Residency: Upon obtaining a New Hampshire Drivers License/ID

Minimum Age for Permit/License: No minimum age is listed in in the law

Permit/License Info Public Information: NO

State Reciprocity/How They Honor Other States Statute: Title XII 159:6-d

State Fire arm Laws: 12-159 thru 12-159-D

State Deadly Force Laws: 62-627.1 thru 62-627.9

State Knife Laws: 62-625.11 & 12-159:16 & 12-159-24; NH Has Preempted all Knife Laws

Chemical/Electric Weapons Laws: 12-159:20 thru 12-159:23

Body Armor Laws: 62-650-B1 & B2

Does Your Permit Cover Other Weapons Besides Firearms? NO - 159:6

Is carrying of a Concealed Firearm with Permit/License for Defensive Purposes Only While Hunting Legal? YES, Except During Muzzle Loading Season & While Shining. NH Statutes Title XVIII Sec 208.5 & NH Hunting & Trapping Digest

What Does New Hampshire Consider A Loaded Firearm?

General Hunting Regulations

Carrying a loaded firearm with ammunition in the chamber, clip or magazine, or cocked crossbow, while the firearm or crossbow is in or on (includes leaning on or contact with) any type of motorized vehicle, moving or stationary; a muzzleloader is considered unloaded if the ignition source (i.e., primer cap or flint or primer powder) is removed from the firearm.

Title XII 159:6 License to Carry

State Emergency Powers

Title I 4:46 Taking of Private Property; Compensation and Use

I. Whenever a state of emergency is declared or invoked and the taking of real or personal property is required, the governor with the advice and consent of the executive council may, by warrant specifying the particular real property and the personal property by specification of the types, quantities, and general location, together with the names of the owners, when known, authorize the commissioner of safety, by his or her agents, to:

(a) Take possession of any private real estate and the improvements on it for a limited period.

(b) Take title in the name of the state to any such improvement when the exigencies of the situation require its destruction.

(1) Any high explosives.

(2) Any horses, vehicles, motor vehicles, aircraft, ships, boats, or any other means of conveyance, including the rolling stock of railroads or of motor bus transportation.

(3) Any cattle, poultry, provisions for man or beast, clothing, bedding, medicines and medical supplies in excess of the reasonable and immediate needs of the owner and the owner's household.

(4) Any fuel for heating or other necessary purposes.

(5) Any gasoline or other means of engine propulsion, or any communications equipment or systems.

I-a. Under no circumstances shall this section be construed to authorize the taking, confiscation, or seizure of firearms, ammunition, or ammunition components.

II. Takings under this section shall be strictly limited to the necessities of the situation. The person proposing to take possession of any such property in the name of the state shall present to the owner or person in possession or control of the property a copy of the warrant under which the person purports to act certified by the commissioner of safety. Upon taking possession or control of such property the person shall present a receipt specifically listing the property so taken and specifically referring to the warrant authorizing the taking.

Federal Law can apply if the state is receiving monetary and/or other assistance from the Federal Government. See US Code 42-5207 for Federal Law as it applies to States of Emergencies. The state quoted code may also not be all of the law on Emergency Powers held by the state. You should read the entire code on Emergency Powers etc for this state by following the link to the state code.

Minimum Age for Possessing and Transporting of Handguns

New Hampshire: 18 Years Old Title 12 159:12

This is the minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms.

In some states Possession and Transportation CAN be very restrictive in that you can ONLY possess and transport a handgun to and from a Shooting Range, Gun Shop, property you own or other places you can legally possess a handgun. Some states do not have this restriction.