HB1244
House · 2026 sessionRepublicanKilled in HouseSelf-defense exception to criminal threatening
AI-generatedExempts a person from a criminal threatening charge when they display a firearm or other means of self-defense to warn away someone criminally trespassing or threatening property damage, serious injury, or death.
relative to exceptions to the charge of criminal threatening.Official record
Division of testimonyComputed by this site
180 submissionsHatched = form letter ··
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Argument digest
AI-generatedfrom 8 of 148 written submissionsHouse Bill 1244 would create exceptions to the criminal threatening statute, primarily to shield self-defense-related communications and lawful exercise of constitutional rights from being prosecuted as threats. Supporters, largely through a form-letter campaign, argue the bill protects lawful speech while preserving penalties for genuine threats; opponents worry it would legitimize using threats or force to defend property without requiring an imminent threat to life, raising the risk of violence and weakening protections for victims.
- Protects lawful self-defense speech and constitutional rightsSupport1 of 8 reviewed · 141 via form letter
Submitters argue the bill protects legitimate self-defense communications and lawful expressions of constitutional rights from being mischaracterized or prosecuted as criminal threats, while preserving clear definitions and appropriate penalties for genuinely threatening conduct.
“HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation.”
— form letter, submitted 141 times · #574406 — read full submission →
“it helps ensure that legitimate self defense related communications and lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not mischaracterized or prosecuted as criminal threats.”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefield · #576384 — read full submission →
- Would legitimize threats or force to defend property without imminent dangerOppose4 of 8 reviewed
Opponents argue the bill would allow threatening behavior or use of force in defense of mere property, even absent an imminent threat to a person's life or safety.
“You should NOT be able to shoot someone unless your life or your families life is in danger. Trespassing alone isn't an imminent threat”
— DONNA CUSICK, Hudson · #582076 — read full submission →
“Lethal force shouldn't be sanctioned in the defense of property absent imminent personal harm.”
— Gregory Davis, Salem · #569248 — read full submission →
- Risk of escalating violence and fatalitiesOppose2 of 8 reviewed
Opponents warn that loosening the criminal threatening statute in this way could get people killed by encouraging the display or use of weapons in confrontations.
- Expands immunity in aggressive situations, weakening victim protectionsOppose1 of 8 reviewed
A submitter argues the bill broadens legal immunity for aggressive conduct, which would weaken protections for victims.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
Form-letter campaigns
141 of 148 written submissions (95%)141 submissions match a shared template; 7 are individually written.
- Support for Exceptions to Criminal ThreateningAI-generatedSupport141 submissions on this bill
The legislation is argued to strike a balance by protecting legitimate self-defense and constitutional expressions while maintaining penalties for actual threats.
The letter · submitted 141 times I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Brendan Rainville Plaistow, NH
Detected by text-similarity clustering — that part is arithmetic. The name describing each template is written by a model.
The record · every submission as filed
180 submissions| Expand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Veronica Joyce for Myself Manchester Don't let people shoot people. Property damage does not merit gun violence. | Manchester | Oppose | 75 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Hannah Meiselman for Myself Manchester Expands immunity in aggressive situations, weakening protections for victims. | Manchester | Oppose | 77 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Jim Moffett for Myself Newmarket Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Jim Moffett Newmarket, NH | Newmarket | SupportForm letter | 861 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Michael Raimondi for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Michael Raimondi | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 852 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Hillary Raimondi for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Hillary Raimondi | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 852 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Lauren Saltalamacchia for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Lauren Saltalamacchia | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 857 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Edward Saltalamacchia for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Edward Saltalamacchia | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 857 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Charlotte Constantian for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Charlotte Constantian Hollis, NH | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 868 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Jerry Giesecke for Myself Merrimack Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Jerry Giesecke Merrimack, NH | Merrimack | SupportForm letter | 864 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Brian Hood for Myself New Ipswich Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Brian Hood New Ipswich, NH | New Ipswich | SupportForm letter | 862 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Carla Ramirez for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Carla Ramirez | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 849 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Tina Hood for Myself New Ipswich Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Tina Hood New Ipswich, NH | New Ipswich | SupportForm letter | 861 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
ed trzcinski for Myself Pittsfield Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, ed trzcinski Pittsfield, NH | Pittsfield | SupportForm letter | 863 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Rene Leclerc for Myself Candia Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Rene Leclerc Candia, NH | Candia | SupportForm letter | 859 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Eric Rothkopf for Myself Nashua Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Eric Rothkopf Nashua, NH | Nashua | SupportForm letter | 860 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
DAVID FRESCHI for Myself HOOKSETT Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, DAVID FRESCHI HOOKSETT, NH | HOOKSETT | SupportForm letter | 862 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Sikt Grote for Myself Nashua Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Sikt Grote Nashua, NH | Nashua | SupportForm letter | 857 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Daniel Richardson for Myself Nashua NEVER EVER wave a gun as a threat. That is sure to get you killed. My pappy told me NEVER display a gun unless you are fully committed to killing with it. The bar should be high, but this bill suggests wild west counter-threatening to defend property. This would legitimize stupid behavior. | Nashua | Oppose | 295 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Susan Romito for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Susan Romito Hollis, NH | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 859 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Eric Morin for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Eric Morin Hollis, NH | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 857 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Peter Stauble for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Peter Stauble Hollis, NH | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 860 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Debra Blake for Myself Hooksett Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Debra Blake Hooksett, NH | Hooksett | SupportForm letter | 860 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Virgina Grady for Myself Hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Virgina Grady Hollis, NH | Hollis | SupportForm letter | 860 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
janine byron for Myself hollis Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, janine byron hollis, NH | hollis | SupportForm letter | 859 | Jan 29, 2026 | |
Don Dignan for Myself Nashua Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Don Dignan Nashua, NH | Nashua | SupportForm letter | 857 | Jan 29, 2026 |