New Hampshire Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license for anyone at least 18 years old with no felony convictions.

[N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§159-21 & 159-22]

No. New Hampshire does not have magazine capacity restrictions.

Yes. New Hampshire allows permitless carry.

New Hampshire is a shall-issue/permitless carry state.

No. A concealed carry license does not allow you to carry weapons other than handguns.

Yes, without a license for anyone not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm.

[N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159-6]

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]

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]

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. However, the information is available for law enforcement.

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.” 

No. There is not a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in New Hampshire.

18 years old.

[N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12 159:12]

No. A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in New Hampshire.

No.

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.

5 years

Link to application

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

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.

New Hampshire is a shall-issue state, meaning that local law enforcement must issue a license to carry a loaded handgun if “it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to the applicant’s person or property or has any proper purpose.” Hunting, target shooting or self-defense is considered a proper purpose.

No photographs or fingerprints required are used as a basis to grant, deny or renew a license to carry for a resident or non-resident, unless requested by the applicant.

• Residential Child Care and Child Day Care Centers [NH Code Admin. Rule He-C 4001.17 and 4002.14(b)(8)];
• Courtroom or area used by a court [NH Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159:19]; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

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

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]

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]