New Hampshire gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes
- A person not prohibited by state or federal law may carry openly or concealed without a license (RSA 159:6).
- Open carry: No license required. RSA 159:4, the former carry-license offense, was repealed effective Feb. 22, 2017. Licenses to carry a loaded pistol are still issued under RSA 159:6. Source
- Permits: New Hampshire permit guide
Vehicle transport
No license required to carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle, since RSA 159:4 was repealed in 2017. An RSA 159:6 license is still available. Source
Places where carry is banned
Courtrooms and areas used by a court, whether the firearm is open or concealed, licensed or not (RSA 159:19). Not a complete list. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
Not confirmed. Check with Local police chief/selectmen (residents); NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit (non-residents).
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
NH licenses are honored by the states listed by NH State Police; several require age 21.
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.