Daniel Pati

Honorable Members of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Daniel Pati, and I am a resident of Hudson, New Hampshire. I strongly oppose House Bill 56, which seeks to impose mandatory background checks and a 72-hour waiting period on certain firearm transfers. New Hampshire has long upheld a tradition of responsible gun ownership, balancing public safety with the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. HB 56 places unnecessary restrictions on these rights without demonstrating a clear public safety benefit. I have several concerns with this bill that I urge the committee to consider: Burden on Law-Abiding Citizens – HB 56 would primarily affect responsible gun owners who legally purchase firearms for self-defense, sport, or hunting. For those in urgent need of protection, such as survivors of domestic violence, a mandatory waiting period could put lives at risk by delaying access to a means of self-defense. Redundant Background Checks – Federally licensed firearm dealers already conduct background checks on gun buyers. This bill expands background check requirements to private sales, criminalizing lawful transactions between trusted individuals, such as family members, friends, and long-time acquaintances. No Measurable Impact on Crime – States with waiting periods and expanded background check laws have not shown significant reductions in violent crime. Criminals do not acquire firearms through legal channels, and this legislation does nothing to prevent unlawful firearm possession or violent crime. Burden on Rural Communities – In many parts of New Hampshire, access to a licensed firearms dealer can be limited. Forcing private parties to process transfers through a dealer imposes unnecessary travel, expense, and inconvenience on law-abiding citizens. Erosion of Individual Rights – The Second Amendment guarantees our right to keep and bear arms, and New Hampshire's Constitution further affirms the right to bear arms for defense. HB 56 imposes undue government interference in private transactions and places additional hurdles between responsible citizens and their constitutional rights. While I fully support measures that keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals, HB 56 is not the right solution. It unfairly burdens responsible gun owners while failing to address the root causes of criminal activity. I urge you to reject this bill and instead focus on measures that target criminals, not law-abiding citizens. Thank you for your time and consideration. I welcome any questions from the committee. Sincerely, Daniel Pati