CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the New Hampshire House of Representatives for passing HB 687, extreme risk protection order legislation, which would create a red flag law. The bill would allow immediate family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily keep guns out of the hands of people in crisis when there is evidence that they pose a serious risk of harming themselves or others. The bill passed on the chamber’s first day in session for the year.
“Family members are often the first to recognize when loved ones are in crisis, so it’s critical that they have a way to intervene,” said Deidre Reynolds, a volunteer with the New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Extreme risk legislation has received support from both sides of the aisle nationwide, and our lawmakers should take note. Today’s vote puts us one step closer to enacting this common-sense gun safety law in New Hampshire.”
“Our state has a serious problem with gun suicide, and it’s no secret that young people are at higher risk,” said Marco Vargas, a volunteer with Dartmouth College Students Demand Action. “We’re grateful to our lawmakers for recognizing the importance of this legislation, because lives depend on it.”
Extreme risk laws have been shown to be an effective tool in preventing gun suicides. New Hampshire’s rate of gun suicide is higher than the national average, and 90 percent of all gun deaths in the state are suicides. According to EveryStat, gun suicide in New Hampshire has increased by 47% between 2008 and 2017.
