Sarah Gentile

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Members: My name is Sarah Gentile, I am a resident of Rochester, New Hampshire. I am also a gun owner. I am reaching out to express my SUPPORT for HB 1642. An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a risk-based, time-limited civil order that follows due process to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who are at great risk of harming themselves or others. ERPOS are not a punishment, they are a preventative measure in life-or-death situations. ERPO has great support here in New Hampshire. Per the Granite State Poll, conducted by UNH Survey Center, 75% of Granite Staters agree with a protection order. It prevents individuals from buying a gun when they are in crisis and a risk to themselves and/or others. This is a commonsense public safety measure that is supported by the majority of New Hampshire citizens and is not a partisan idea. In 2025, Maine passed a Red Flag law with 63% support. Following the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, the state also concluded that there were multiple warnings about the shooter. Family members contacted law enforcement for help, but the existing laws gave them no direct way to act themselves. 18 lives were taken as a result. Are we waiting for the same story to unfold here in New Hampshire before we act? To do so is reprehensible. ERPO respects due process and Second Amendment rights. Twenty-two states have ERPO laws in place. These laws require judicial review, evidence, and time limits. The US Supreme Court has reaffirmed the constitutionality of restricting access to firearms through court orders issued through court orders following a notice and hearing. It is not something that would be enacted on a whim. HB 1642 is a necessary step forward to prevent gun violence. It empowers families, supports law enforcement, respects the Constitution, and responds to clear warning signs before tragedy strikes. I urge you to support HB 1642. Thank you for your time, Sarah Gentile