CONCORD — The House of Representatives voted 197-146 to pass HB 564, relative to the possession of firearms on school grounds. House Majority Leader, Rep. Doug Ley (D-Jaffrey) released the following statement:
“This legislation is vital to improving safety at our schools and helping to guard against the type of mass-shooting tragedies that are taking place too frequently across the United States. Bragging that we currently rank as a safe state is not enough. It is only a matter of time before we are faced with a potentially tragic situation here in New Hampshire, and our municipalities currently have no ability to enforce the federal gun free schools act or determine whether someone entering a school with a gun constitutes a threat.”
“HB 564 simply forbids unauthorized individuals from carrying guns into schools and establishes reasonable exemptions to assure both individual rights and public safety are protected. Law enforcement, school resource officers, on-duty members of the armed forces, and other individuals authorized by the school board can carry firearms on school grounds. Parents picking up kids are permitted to carry a firearm on school grounds provided it remains in the motor vehicle.”
“Simply put, there is no need to carry a gun into a school while picking up your child. No one believes a tragedy is going to happen at their community’s school until it happens. Law enforcement and educators need clarity on gun policy now, so they can be prepared to stop a tragedy before it is too late. I implore Gov. Sununu to sign this bill.”
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