Is NH An Open Carry State?

[Fake Name]

I was planning on a few hiking trips in New Hampshire this summer. Mt. Washington, Mt. Manadnock, etc.
Is open carry allowed/generally accepted in NH?

 

[average_shooter]

Yes, especially in the north. In the southern part of the state you get a lot of Mass. transplants who think they own everything.

In my experience, limited though it was, nobody gave my pistol a second look.

Except McCains security... During an event I attended at a hotel, hotel staff asked anyone carrying to conceal it while on hotel property.

You can get a quick glance at NH carry restrictions here (hint: there aren't many):

http://handgunlaw.us/documents/USOffLimitsN-W.pdf

 

[romma]

For $20, you can have an out of State NH permit downloaded, filled out, and sent in in 1 hours time...

http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/ssb/permitslicensing/plupr.html


Here you go!

10 days door to door for me...

 

[Winchester 73]

10 days door to door for me...

6 days for me.Great State.
Live Free or Die.
http://www.opencarry.org

 

[frankie_the_yankee]

Yes, especially in the north. In the southern part of the state you get a lot of Mass. transplants who think they own everything.

Pretty much in line with my experience.

 

[Fake Name]

I guess I'm wondering that since OC is allowed, do people in NH generally freak out when they see a non-LEO open carrying? I can understand not OC'ing in Manchester, but how about out on the trails in state parks or in smaller towns?

 

[LKB3rd]

I did it in Hanover, right into the Dartmouth bookstore, bought a book, a cup of coffee, and sat and read for a little while. Colt Python on my hip.
No one seemed to notice, and if they did, they didn't care.

 

[romma]

There was a story on this site a couple of years ago, about someone that exposed while carrying in (ironically to the above poster), a bookstore and was manhandled and arrested by the police...

I think it was in Manchester,NH...

 

[Dope]

To the poster above me, that's not surprising to me at all. I live in MA, and have all my life. From my experience, it's as if the 2 states don't have a black and white border. It's more of a grey area. The area around the southern border of NH (which is the northern border of MA if you didn't know), is half-MA and half-NH because there are so many MA transplants. A LOT of people try to avoid the horrible MA taxes but still live within commuting range of the good jobs in MA.Makes sense, I have considered it many times myself - but I hate commuting.

Point is, the southern part of NH isn't MA but it sure isn't NH either. If that makes sense to you Doesn't really answer the OP's question but gives a little food for thought.

Dope

 

[romma]

I found the story but it was thread locked, so I was not sure if it was appropriate to insert the link... Questionable anti-police statements I think...

 

[SSN Vet]

Is open carry allowed/generally accepted in NH

short answer, yes...but I'd check into the park thing more closely.

The only people I trust to give me a correct answer are the State Police. Call em up and ask your questions.

For $20, you can have an out of State NH

...

Mine was processed and at my door in just over a week.

 

[Bang Gunley]

While unnecessary -- because NH recognizes resident Florida CCW licenses -- I went ahead and applied for and was issued a NH CCW license last year. I did this to prove to my sons how quickly the process worked. My younger son and a buddy had been threatened one night last winter by a jerk in Milford with a 9MM. The dope actually fired the pistol into the air three times and was soon thereafter arrested and appropriately charged.

This idiot saved NH lots of money when, in the spring or early summer of last year he became a grease stain on 101 on the Amherst - Milford line after running from the Milford PD in a brand new, yellow Vette and wiping out on the overpass on 101 above Ponemah Road.

Anyway, it took 10 days from mailbox to mailbox to get my NH license. I'm currently awaiting a Maine CCW license but know it won't be anywhere as promptly returned as that from NH.

Have a day. Bang Gunley

 

[Devonai]

I've carried openly up north, especially while hiking, but I wouldn't bother south of Concord unless it was unbelievably hot and I'd chosen the wrong concealing garment.

Manchester PD did give a former member here a hard time, so open carry at your own risk. You won't be charged with a crime but who needs the hassle?

 

[Zedicus]

http://opencarry.org/nh.html

New Hampshire

Summary
New Hampshire is an open carry state and it is not uncommon. However, a permit is required in order to possess a loaded handgun in a vehicle, regardless of whether or not it is visible or concealed.





Legal Disclaimer We make every effort to provide correct information on this site. However, the legal landscape surrounding open carry is fluid and subject to a myriad of political influences in the various states. Therefore, any and all information you glean from this site should be independently verified!
Forum To read real open carry stories from New Hampshire or to contribute your own, click here
State Constitution Bill of Rights, Part 1 Article 2-a

All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property, and the state.
Minimum Age to OC No Statutory Limit
Preemption Complete State Preemption of All Firearm Laws

NOTE: Almost all states allow local regulation of the discharge of firearms
Open Car Carry Firearms may be openly carried in cars only with a permit/license.
Private Sales Not Yet Determined
Permit Issued Not Yet Determined
K-12 Carry Not Yet Determined

NOTE: The Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act Restricts Carry to Permit Holders
College Carry Carry Not Statutorily Prohibited

NOTE: Even if Legal, Students May be Subject to Academic Sanctions
Places Off Limits

None