N.H. Gun Bill

N.H. House of Representatives to vote on a bill that would allow firearms on college campuses.

UNH students give their views on the necessity of the guns on campus.

By Brian Ward

Durham - The N.H. House of Representatives will vote on a new bill in Jan.  that if passed will allow firearms to be worn in college campus.

Currently, the majority of N.H. House is in support of bill HB-0334, which if put into effect would give the state sole authority over gun regulations, meaning that universities in the state would no longer have the power to ban firearms from their campus. The new bill would mean that guns would be allowed anywhere on campus, including dorms and classrooms.

Similar bills have been put in effect in other states, including Utah, Colorado, Virginia and Michigan, with other states legislators considering passing similar bills this year.  

The UNH administration recently emailed the members of the N.H. House, asking for an exemption from the bill. Mark Proulx was one of the representatives to reply back to the university with a refusal. While not one of the bill’s sponsors, Proulx has since been identified with the bill in the media.   

"I’m waiting for it to fade away, people are making way too much out of this," Proulx said.

Proulx went on to say that he was not advocating that college students should carry a gun. He said that allowing guns on campuses will make them safer places. “If no law abiding citizen can have a gun in an area, than anyone looking to do harm will go there to make a name for themselves,” he said.  

A person must be at least 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun in N.H. and 21 to buy a handgun or get a concealed weapons permit.

“I believe everyone has the right to protect themselves and their Second Amendment rights; why should your Second Amendment rights change depending on where you are,” he said.

He explained how people who have been taught about firearms and carry them for protection know about responsibility and would retain that level of responsibility if allowed to carry on campuses.

One sophomore and a self-proclaimed Second Amendment fan, Brent Bosley, said that because of his sense of responsibility, he wouldn’t bring his gun on campus if the bill is passed. “I would be worried if someone stole it and used it; it be my responsibility,” he said.

Bosley went on to say that he felt bringing his gun on campus is unnecessary, and that the cops can handle whatever incidents that would require a gun. “I can go home and shoot whenever I want; I don’t feel anyone here poses a threat to me,” he said.

“I can see how others might feel more safe carrying a gun, I can also see how others might feel less safe with others carrying a gun,” Nichole Mitchell said. Mitchell is a sophomore from Lebanon N.H., and said that removing the ban would be more convenient for students who hunt by allowing them to keep their guns in their rooms.

  

She went on to say that at a heavy party school like UNH, there would be a risk of a student under the influence getting their hands on a gun. Mitchell said that she doesn’t think that the university’s ban on firearms is a violation of students’ Second Amendment rights. “You sign up to go to UNH. You sign up to follow the university’s rules, don’t have to come here. Not for or against, just my interpretation,” she said.

Work cited 

Mitchell, Nichole. "N.H. Gun Bill." Personal interview. 20 Nov. 2011.

Bosley, Brent. "N.H. Gun Bill." Personal interview. 20 Nov. 2011.

Proulx, Mark. "N.H. Gun Bill." Telephone interview. 18 Nov. 2011.

"Colleges and Universities That Allow Guns on Campus." Colleges and Universities That Allow Guns on Campus | Armed Campuses. Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, 2002. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.armedcampuses.org/>.

Cohen, Sam. "Frequently Asked Questions about NH Gun Laws." Pro-Gun New Hampshire. Pro-Gun New Hampshire Inc., 13 Apr. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://pgnh.org/gunlawfaqs>.

United States. Cong. House. Criminal Justice and Public Safety. By Cunningham, Hoell, Cataldo, Chandler, Baldasaro, Boutin, and Gallus. 2011 sess. HR 0334. 5 Apr. 2011. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. <http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2011/HB0334.html>.