Chris Sununu was recently inaugurated for his fourth term as Governor of New Hampshire. Will this term, perhaps, be the one in which he seriously takes into consideration the concerns of citizens and gun violence prevention groups?
At the beginning of his first full term beginning in 2017, one of the first bills he signed into law allowed people to bring guns into schools, made concealed carry licenses voluntary, and removed ‘suitable person’ criteria for licensing. The NH Chiefs of Police Association strongly opposed that by testifying to the necessity of keeping concealed weapons away from persons with a record of violence. To no avail.
He has repeatedly opposed allowing schools to establish and enforce “gun free zones,” stating his support of state law, which prohibits schools and towns from doing so.
He campaigned on closing the background check loopholes then changed his mind after getting elected. He has also refused to help pass a ban on bump stocks.
The first weekend in August, 2019, saw back to back mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, leaving the nation to mourn the senseless loss of life again. A few days later, the Governor vetoed three bills having to do with gun safety; background check requirement for commercial weapons sales and requiring a waiting period from the time of purchase to delivery of a weapon. The third bill was to restrict possession of weapons on school property with the exception being police officers.
He stated that New Hampshire gun laws are “well-crafted and fit our culture of responsible gun ownership and individual freedom." He went on to say we are one of the safest states, having a long, proud tradition of "responsible firearm stewardship."
Until we don’t.
New Hampshire shouldn’t wait for that day to happen.