New Hampshire Concealed Weapon Charges

On March 15, 2011, the New Hampshire House passed House Bill 330. It now moves on to the Senate for approval. This legislation would permit any person to carry a firearm either openly or concealed, unloaded or loaded, on their person or in their vehicle, without having a license. In addition, it would remove the requirement for non-residents to get a license to possess a gun while in New Hampshire. Currently New Hampshire is a "shall-issue" state, which means it will issue a concealed weapons permit to residents and non-residents who meet the qualifications. Applications can be obtained from the Permits and Licensing Unit of the Division of State Police.

New Hampshire Weapons Laws

There are only a few places where carrying a concealed weapon in New Hampshire is forbidden:

• All courthouses, courtrooms or any areas used by the court
• All places where U.S. federal laws prohibit carrying a firearm, such as public or private elementary and secondary schools

New Hampshire allows individuals to openly carry a loaded handgun without a permit. However, it is illegal to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, airplane or powerboat.

New Hampshire Concealed Weapons Violations

It is legal to carry a concealed loaded revolver or pistol without a license as long as the person is in their home or place a business. The New Hampshire concealed weapons violations are outlined below:

New Hampshire Plea Options

There are basically three choices when pleading to a crime:

• Plead Guilty—This should only be done if there is a plea bargain in place giving the defendant the opportunity of pleading to a lesser offense.
• Plead Not Guilty—The case will be set for a pre-trial conference, at which time your attorney will know what evidence the prosecution has against you.
• Plead Nolo Contendere—The defendant does not admit guilt and does not contest the charges. This is primarily beneficial for defendants who want to avoid being held civilly liable for a crime.

Consult a New Hampshire Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal defendants who are facing serious charges may be tempted by the offer of a plea bargain. Individuals who accept a deal may not realize they are giving up their right to a trial. When you consult an experienced criminal defense attorney, they can examine the offer to determine whether it's a good deal or not. Don't let the prosecutors bully you into accepting any type of offer without first being represented by legal counsel.