A New Hampshire proposal known as House Bill 1793 would block public colleges from banning firearms on campus, with supporters arguing that gun free zones leave students vulnerable. University leaders warn the measure could increase costs, legal risks and anxiety about safety, intensifying an already emotional debate over how best to protect students.
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CONCORD, NH (4-minute read) — State Representative Sam Farrington says the recent fatal shooting at Brown University shows that campus gun bans do not stop determined attackers and instead leave students more vulnerable to violence. Speaking at the Statehouse on December 17, the Rochester Republican and University of New Hampshire senior promoted new legislation that would prevent public colleges from prohibiting firearms on their grounds.
Farrington and several fellow House Republicans also pointed to the mass killing at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where fifteen people were shot despite the country’s strict gun control laws. They argued that both events call into question the belief that limiting lawful access to firearms automatically keeps the public safe.
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Deputy House Majority Leader Joe Sweeney of Salem said that restrictive gun control measures leave people unable to defend themselves, their families and their classmates. He framed the issue as one of fundamental rights, particularly for students who are already licensed and trained to carry a firearm off campus but must disarm when they walk onto university property.
Campus firearm bans and student self defense
Farrington warned that what happened at Brown University in Rhode Island, where two people were killed and nine injured, could just as easily occur at New Hampshire schools that forbid firearms on campus. He listed the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State and Keene State among the public institutions that he believes are infringing on the Second Amendment rights of college students.
According to Farrington, these schools describe themselves as gun free zones, but reality looks different when a violent person chooses to ignore the rules. In his view, such policies do not keep out criminals. Instead, they disarm the very people who might otherwise have a lawful means of protecting themselves during an attack, turning campuses into what he called defenseless zones.
House Bill 1793, which lawmakers will take up next year, would bar public colleges and universities that receive federal funds from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and certain non lethal self defense tools on campus. If a school were to impose a ban anyway, it could face lawsuits under the bill.
Supporters say the measure would simply extend existing rights onto campus. A licensed adult who can carry a concealed firearm at a grocery store or movie theater, they argue, should not be forced to leave that same firearm at home while walking late at night from a campus library to a distant parking lot. They also note that responsible carry typically includes training in safe handling, secure storage and understanding local laws, all of which can reduce the risk of misuse.
The University System of New Hampshire, however, has warned that the bill could carry a high price. In the official fiscal note, the system estimated potential costs up to $500,000 due to higher insurance premiums, more liability claims, expanded security measures, the need for secure firearm storage systems and probable legal battles. Administrators also expressed concern that some students, parents and faculty might be hesitant to attend or work at campuses where more people are armed, which could affect enrollment and recruiting.
Both sides generally agree on a few basics: paying attention to your environment, trusting your instincts, securing residence halls and classrooms, and having clear emergency plans can save lives. Whether firearms should be part of that strategy on college campuses is the debate House Bill 1793 is about to bring into focus for New Hampshire.
Safety Tip: If you choose to carry a concealed firearm for self defense, seek reputable training that covers safe handling, lawful use of force and de escalation skills, and always store your firearm securely when it is not under your direct control.
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