Earlier this summer I asked you to contact your Senator and tell them to force a committee of conference to fix the flawed Constitutional Carry provisions of SB 88.
Unfortunately, instead of fixing those provisions, the committee of conference removed the Constitutional Carry provisions of SB 88.
Despite the loss of the Constitutional Carry provisions SB 88 is a significant step forward for firearms owners.
SB 88 ends the requirement to retreat in the face of an attack anyplace you have a right to be.
Imagine walking out of the grocery store with your children in tow and, suddenly, a man steps out of the shadows, charges towards you, pulls a knife, and demands your money.
Imagine your wife or daughter returning to her car from the Mall of NH when a man runs up to her swinging a baseball bat and demanding she get in his car.
Imagine walking to your car after a hockey game at the Verizon Arena, and two men pop out from behind a car, guns drawn, and demand that you.
In each case, if you defend yourself with deadly force, if you can’t prove that you could not retreat safely, you may be forced to defend yourself a second time in a courtroom. Under New Hampshire law, except in your home or its curtilage, you must retreat before you can defend yourself; Senate Bill 88 will allow you to defend yourself without retreating in any place you have a right to be.
You should not be forced to run from an attacker before defending yourself. SB 88 would fix the law so you don’t have to.
Another provision in SB 88 was specially crafted to prevent another person from being unjustly sent to prison for merely displaying a firearm.
SB 88 makes it clear that the display of a firearm to warn away trespassers is not criminal. Displaying, without firing a firearm, to protect your property should not land you in prison.
Unfortunately, SB 88 has hit another hurdle.
Not surprisingly, Governor Lynch vetoed SB 88.
Until now, with veto proof majorities supporting SB 88 in both houses of the legislature, an override of the Governor’s veto seemed highly likely.
I wasn’t taking anything for granted, though, and was watching the process closely. Now my sources in Concord are confirming my suspicions. When passage by a wide margin seemed likely, Senators didn’t hesitate to add their votes to an already large majority, but now, when every vote counts as we seek to override the Governor’s veto, some Senators are beginning to buckle under pressure from the gun grabbers.
The gun grabbers know that this is their last chance to stop this important piece of legislation and are trying everything they know how to stand in the way of your right to defend yourself.
I need your help.
If we want to see this important piece of legislation become law, we need to make sure every Senator who voted for SB 88 the first time, votes to override the Governor’s veto.
I need you to contact your Senator, tell them you don’t want their vote only when there is a wide majority. Tell them they need to vote in support of your right to self defense when it really matters, when every vote could be the deciding vote.
Please email your Senator today, it is crucial if we want to end the unjust requirement to retreat in the face of an attack.
You and I, together, can get this important legislation enacted, but we must act now!
Sincerely,
Jonathan R. Evans, Esq.
President, NHFC
P.S. It is crucial to the fight to overide the Governor’s veto of SB 88 that you call and/or email your Senator immediately. Your Senator’s Contact information can be found on the Senate Website
