Barbara Finamore

This bill would exempt certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in New Hampshire from federal regulation. That exemption would significantly weaken oversight in a state that already has some of the weakest gun safety laws in the country. New Hampshire does not require universal background checks. There are no mandatory waiting periods, and licensing requirements are extremely limited. Because of this, New Hampshire is especially reliant on federal firearms laws to provide baseline protections. Exempting any firearm or firearm accessory from those laws would make our state—and the rest of the country—less safe. Firearms do not remain within state borders. Weakening federal regulation in one state creates loopholes that undermine enforcement nationwide and make it harder for law enforcement to keep guns out of the wrong hands. At a time when gun violence continues to devastate communities, HB 1697 moves New Hampshire in the wrong direction. I urge you to reject this bill and focus instead on policies that strengthen accountability and protect public safety. Thank you.