Carry While Using Alcohol or Drugs?

Not addressed in state statutes. As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No. New Hampshire does not have a red flag law.

NON-RESIDENT PERMITTING?

Yes. The process is the same as for residents.

No definition of brandishing was found in New Hampshire law. However, a person is guilty of reckless conduct if he recklessly engages in conduct which places or may place another in danger of serious bodily injury. [N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 631:3] A person is guilty of criminal threatening when by physical conduct, the person places or attempts to place another in fear of imminent bodily injury or physical contact. [N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 631:4] As of September 21, 2021, per the passage of HB 195, the act of displaying a firearm will not count as reckless conduct “in and of itself and without additional circumstances.”

Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in New Hampshire.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONCEALED CARRY REGISTRY?

No. However, the information is available for law enforcement.

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

No. "No Weapons Allowed" signs are not enforced in New Hampshire.

DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Carry License?

No. Your New Hampshire driver’s license is not linked to your New Hampshire pistol/revolver license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license.

Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in New Hampshire. [N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159-26]

CARRY WHILE BOW HUNTING?

Yes. A hunter is entitled to carry firearms while bow hunting, unless prohibited by state or federal law from carrying a firearm. No person taking deer under the provisions of this section shall take or attempt to take deer with any type of firearm. [NH Stat. Sec 208.5]

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

There is no known statute in New Hampshire making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

Yes, however the handgun cannot be used to take or attempt to take deer.

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?

The law allows for the concealed and open carry of any type of knife by anyone who is not a convicted felon, although they cannot be carried in any courthouse. [RSA § 159:19]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

Yes. No person shall purposely obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of hunting, fishing or trapping. [NH Stat. § 207:57]

CARRY IN STATE/NATIONAL PARKS, STATE/NATIONAL FORESTS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS (WMAS)?

Yes. Concealed carry is allowed in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in New Hampshire. [NH Admin. Rule 7301.10(a)] [NH Rev. Stat. Ann. § 212-17]

CARRY/POSSESS AT A HOTEL?

New Hampshire statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

CARRY AT ROADSIDE REST AREAS?

Yes. You can carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in New Hampshire.

Yes, without a license for anyone not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm. [N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159-6]

CARRY IN BARS/RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL?

Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry in bars or restaurants, unless posted.

STORE IN A VEHICLE IN AN EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT?

Yes. As of January 1, 2025, the state has barred employers from forbidding employees to store guns in locked vehicles.

New Hampshire gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

New Hampshire is a shall-issue, permitless carry state. Residents apply to the local law enforcement office and non-residents to the State Department of Justice if they wish to have a Pistol/Revolver License..

There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required to buy a handgun from a private individual.

Open carry and concealed carry are legal in New Hampshire without a license for anyone at least 18 years of age who can legally possess a firearm. There is no minimum age to carry a firearm, however the federal minimum age is 18 years old. Pistol/Revolver Licenses (PRLs) are issued to residents and non-residents for reciprocity purposes. No fingerprinting or photograph is required for a PRL. New Hampshire law does not require applicants for a license to carry a firearm to undergo firearms safety training or otherwise demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety. In terms of reciprocity, since New Hampshire has permitless carry, any person 18 years of age and older that can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit.

Where can I carry with my New Hampshire permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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New Hampshire Concealed Carry License Information

Residency Changes:

Moving to New Hampshire and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?New Hampshire issues resident and non-resident licenses, so you can apply for your license at any time. In order to apply for a resident license, you may need to provide a New Hampshire driver's license or state ID, or an out-of-state Driver's License, along with a current utility bill at your NH residence or a signed rent/lease agreement.

Moving from New Hampshire and have a New Hampshire resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your New Hampshire license remains valid?If a person with a New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License establishes residency in another state, the license is valid until it expires provided you submit the above referenced Name/Address change form.

Name/Address Changes:

For a resident license, notify the local police department of your new address. For a non-resident license, forward a letter to NH State Police notifying them of the change of address, including the old and new address. If you would like to receive a license that reflects the new address, enclose a fee of $3.00. Send to:

NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit 33 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03305

Fees:

Initial License & Renewals$10 for residents$100 for non-residents

Application:

Link to application

Lost/Stolen Licenses:

Write a letter explaining the reason for your request and include a duplicate license fee of $3.00. Send to the above listed address.

Valid For:

5 years

Processing Time:

14 days

Requirements:

An applicant must:

Be at least 18 years old;
Give the names and addresses of three references;
Provide his or her driver's license number; and
Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of New Hampshire.

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:

Link to non-resident application

A non-resident can complete the non-resident application and mail it to the NH State Police:

NH State PolicePermits and License Unit33 Hazen DriveConcord, NH 03305

How to get a New Hampshire Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Download the resident application or non-resident application.

Step 2:

Take the completed application to your local law enforcement office (may be Town Selectman, Mayor, Chief of Police or County Sheriff) or the State Police if a non-resident. You will need the names of three persons for references.

Non-resident applications should be mailed to:

NH State PolicePermits and License Unit33 Hazen DriveConcord, NH 03305

Step 3:

You will be notified within 14 days whether your application has been approved or denied.

New Hampshire Self-Defense Laws

Physical Force in Defense of a Person

A person is justified in using non-deadly force upon another person in order to defend himself or herself or a third person from what one reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful, non-deadly force, and a person may use a degree of such force which he or she reasonably believes to be necessary.

A person is justified in using deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that another person is:

- - About to use unlawful, deadly force against the actor or a third person;
  - Is likely to use any unlawful force against a person present while committing or attempting to commit a burglary;
  - Is committing or about to commit kidnapping or a forcible sex offense; or
  - Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor within such actor’s dwelling or its curtilage.

Deadly force is not justified if the actor knows that he or she and the third person can, with complete safety:

- - Retreat from the encounter (except that he or she is not required to retreat if he or she is within his or her dwelling, its curtilage or anywhere he or she has a right to be) and was not the initial aggressor; or
  - Surrender property to the person; or
  - Comply with a demand that he or she abstain from performing an act which the actor is not obliged to perform.

“Curtilage” means those outbuildings which are proximately, directly and intimately connected with a dwelling, together with all the land or grounds surrounding the dwelling such as are necessary, convenient and habitually used for domestic purposes.“Dwelling” means any building, structure, vehicle, boat or other place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons or sections of any place similarly adapted. It is immaterial whether a person is actually present.

Civil Immunity

A person who justifiably uses force in self-protection or in the protection of other persons, in the protection of premises and property, in law enforcement or in the care or welfare of a minor pursuant, shall be immune from civil liability for personal injuries sustained by a perpetrator.

[N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 627:4, 62:5, 627:6, 627:7 and 627:1a]

Self-Defense

New Hampshire is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A person who is lawfully in a place or location and who is threatened with bodily injury or loss of life has no duty to retreat from a threat prior to using force.

Use of Force in Defense of Premises

A person in possession or control of premises or a person who is licensed or privileged to be there is justified in using non-deadly force when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate the commission of a criminal trespass by such other in or upon such premises. But he or she may use deadly force under such circumstances only in defense of a person or when one reasonably believes it necessary to prevent an attempt by the trespasser to commit arson.

New Hampshire Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-04-08

Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.

2025-01-22

Updated Employee Vehicle Storage section to reflect new law.

2021-07-27

Added info on brandishing per HB 195 in At A Glance table

2021-05-18

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

2021-03-02

Added child care centers to locations off limits for concealed carry

Yes, Selected State:	New Hampshire
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	Kentucky, Mississippi, Alaska, Ohio, South Dakota, Arizona, South Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, Missouri, Alabama, Wyoming, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Indiana, West Virginia, Utah
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	North Carolina
Yes, With Restrictions:	Michigan, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia
No, Carry Not Allowed	Illinois, Delaware, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Connecticut, New York, District of Columbia, California, New York City, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Nevada, Puerto Rico

New Hampshire gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

New Hampshire Concealed Carry Reciprocity Details

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Important Concealed Carry Information

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How to get a New Hampshire Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

New Hampshire Self-Defense Laws