Is N.H’s Newest Carry Law Reciprocal to Maine and Vermont?

New Hampshire’s latest concealed carry law permits permit holders to carry firearms without a permit in states with similar laws. However, this law does not extend to Maine or Vermont. This article delves into the specifics of the law, its implications, and the differing regulations in Maine and Vermont.

N.H.’s Newest Carry Law

On July 1, 2023, New Hampshire enacted a law allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry their firearms without a permit in other states that recognize concealed carry permits. This law is known as "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry." It eliminates the requirement for a separate permit when traveling to states with similar laws.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity in concealed carry laws refers to the recognition of permits from other states. When two states have reciprocal agreements, permit holders from one state can carry their firearms in the other state without obtaining a local permit.

Maine and Vermont’s Laws

Maine and Vermont have different concealed carry laws than New Hampshire. Maine requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun, and permits are issued by the state police. Vermont has a constitutional carry law similar to New Hampshire’s, meaning permit holders are not required to obtain a local permit to carry a concealed handgun.

Implications

The lack of reciprocity between New Hampshire and Maine or Vermont means that New Hampshire permit holders cannot legally carry concealed firearms in either state without first obtaining a permit from those states. This could have implications for individuals who travel frequently between states or who reside near state borders.

Conclusion

New Hampshire’s new constitutional carry law does not extend to Maine or Vermont. While permit holders can carry their firearms in states with similar laws, they must obtain a permit to carry in Maine and Vermont. It is crucial for gun owners to be aware of the differing concealed carry laws in each state to avoid legal complications.

Is N.H.’s Newest Carry Law Reciprocal to Maine and Vermont?

The answer is no. Despite attempts to create a uniform gun policy in the Northeast, Maine and Vermont have stricter gun laws than New Hampshire and do not recognize concealed carry permits from other states. This means that even if you have a valid concealed carry permit in New Hampshire, you will not be able to carry a concealed weapon in Maine or Vermont.

Reciprocity with Maine and Vermont

Maine and Vermont are two of the few states that do not have reciprocity agreements with New Hampshire. This means that concealed carry permits issued by New Hampshire are not recognized in either state. As a result, if you are a New Hampshire resident with a concealed carry permit, you will need to leave your gun at home if you travel to Maine or Vermont.

There are several reasons why Maine and Vermont do not have reciprocity agreements with New Hampshire. One reason is that the gun laws in these two states are much stricter than the gun laws in New Hampshire. For example, Maine and Vermont both require a permit to purchase a handgun, while New Hampshire does not. Additionally, Maine and Vermont both have laws that ban assault weapons, while New Hampshire does not.

Another reason why Maine and Vermont do not have reciprocity agreements with New Hampshire is that they are both concerned about the potential for increased gun violence. These states believe that allowing concealed carry permit holders from other states to carry guns in their states would lead to more shootings and other gun-related crimes.

Despite the concerns of Maine and Vermont, there is no evidence to suggest that reciprocity agreements lead to increased gun violence. In fact, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that states with reciprocity agreements actually have lower rates of gun violence than states without reciprocity agreements.