New Hampshire HB 1084: relative to the relinquishment of deadly weapons by those subject to a domestic violence protective order.

Bill Text

HB 1084-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2581

 09/08

HOUSE BILL 1084-FN

AN ACT relative to the relinquishment of deadly weapons by those subject to a domestic violence protective order. 

SPONSORS: Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37; Rep. Gregg, Hills. 7; Rep. Mandelbaum, Rock. 21; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. Selig, Straf. 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ANALYSIS

 This bill modifies the process for when a domestic violence order of protection is issued requiring the respondent to relinquish deadly weapons.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2581

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the relinquishment of deadly weapons by those subject to a domestic violence protective order. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Paragraph; Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Definition Added. Amend RSA 173-B:1 by inserting after paragraph XV-a the following new paragraph: 

 XV-b. “Law enforcement officer” means state police officers, county sheriffs and sheriff’s deputies, or local police officers with the authority to preserve the public peace, enforce laws, and make arrests within their designated jurisdiction. 

 2 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Temporary Relief. Amend RSA 173-B:4, I(a)(9) to read as follows: 

 (9) Directing the defendant to immediately relinquish to the peace officer serving the order, in addition to the relief specified in RSA 173-B:4, I, any and all deadly weapons [specified in the protective order] that [are in the control, ownership, or possession of] the defendant, or any other person on behalf of the defendant, controls, owns, or possesses, for the duration of the protective order. 

 3 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Temporary Relief. Amend RSA 173-B:4, II to read as follows: 

 II. The defendant [may] shall be prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing any deadly weapons and any and all firearms and ammunition for the duration of the order. The court [may] shall subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing the peace officer to seize any deadly weapons specified in the protective order and any and all firearms and ammunition, if there is probable cause to believe such firearms and ammunition and specified deadly weapons are kept on the premises, [or] curtilage, or vehicles of the defendant and if the court has reason to believe that all such firearms and ammunition and specified deadly weapons have not been relinquished by the defendant. 

 4 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Relief. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 173-B:5, I to read as follows: 

 I. A finding of abuse shall mean the defendant represents a credible threat to the safety of the plaintiff. Upon a showing of abuse of the plaintiff by a preponderance of the evidence, the court shall grant such relief as is necessary to bring about a cessation of abuse. Such relief shall direct the defendant to immediately relinquish to the peace officer any and all firearms and ammunition [in the control, ownership, or possession of] that the defendant, or any other person on behalf of the defendant, controls, owns, or possesses, for the duration of the protective order. Other relief may include: 

 5 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Relief. Amend RSA 173-B:5, I(a)(6) to read as follows: 

 (6) Directing the defendant to immediately relinquish to the peace officer, in addition to the relief specified in RSA 173-B:5, I, any and all deadly weapons specified in the protective order that are in the control, ownership, or possession of the defendant, or any other person on behalf of the defendant. 

 6 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Relief. Amend RSA 173-B:5, II to read as follows: 

 II. The defendant shall be prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing any deadly weapons and any and all firearms and ammunition for the duration of the order. The court [may] shall subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing a peace officer to seize any deadly weapons specified in the protective order and any and all firearms and ammunition, if there is probable cause to believe such firearms and ammunition and specified deadly weapons are kept on the premises, [or] curtilage, or vehicles of the defendant. 

 7 Protection of Persons from Domestic Violence; Relief. Amend RSA 173-B:5, IX-a to read as follows: 

 IX-a. If a criminal records check con