HB1699

2nd Amendment gone wild again and absence of common sense

Testimony Against HB 1699: Harmful Implications of Firearm Access on Waterways I strongly oppose HB 1699, which allows firearms to be carried on slow-moving boats. This bill prioritizes ease of access for a select group of firearm owners while profoundly neglecting the potential dangers posed to our communities, particularly the most vulnerable among us. By facilitating greater access to firearms in shared public spaces, HB 1699 significantly increases the risk of accidents and intentional harm, especially for children, trauma survivors, and marginalized groups who utilize these waterways for recreation and livelihood. The externalization of risk under this legislation is not only irresponsible; it directly undermines the safety of individuals who are already disproportionately affected by gun violence. Moreover, the oversight mechanisms surrounding this bill are alarmingly insufficient, raising serious concerns about the accessibility of firearms to individuals who should not possess them. Without rigorous implementation and monitoring, the potential for firearms to fall into the wrong hands becomes dangerously high. The ease of carrying weapons on boats, combined with the lack of adequate safeguards, deepens the existing inequities and escalates the cycle of violence and trauma in our communities. We must prioritize public health and safety over the convenience of a privileged few. Legislative action should focus on ensuring safe environments for all, especially for those who are most at risk, rather than further eroding safety through reckless policies like HB 1699.

I see no reason for the state to continue to push and allow more weapons in this state, especially as gun violence is does not seem to be diminishing and political rhetoric seems to excuse the use of deadly force. This bill seems like a waste of time and money .

I am a boater. I do not want to think that anyone with a gun, not out duck hunting, can carry one and use it while partying or in a state of rage. Unsafe and unneeded. Don’t ruin a day on the lake or river because of guns. Give us some peace.

I oppose HB 1699. Redefining a firearm as “unloaded” simply because a round is not in the chamber is a dangerous semantic maneuver, not a safety improvement. A firearm with a magazine inserted is functionally ready to fire and should be treated as loaded—period. Allowing loaded firearms on slow-moving boats weakens long-standing safety standards and creates unnecessary risk on public waterways. This bill moves New Hampshire in the wrong direction by loosening gun regulations under the guise of convenience, and it sets a troubling precedent for further erosion of common-sense gun safety laws.