HB 1697-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2392
07/06
HOUSE BILL 1697-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28; Rep. Granger, Straf. 2; Rep. Tom Mannion, Hills. 1; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Rep. Spillane, Rock. 2; Rep. McFarlane, Graf. 18; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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ANALYSIS
This bill exempts certain firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in New Hampshire from federal regulation.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2392
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act may be known and cited as the "Firearms Freedom and Federalism Act."
2 New Chapter; In-State Only Firearms Usage. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 159-F the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 159-G
IN-STATE ONLY FIREARMS USAGE
159-G:1 Firearms and Accessories Exempt from Commerce Clause. Any firearm or firearm accessory manufactured in this state, including rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, slides, receivers, barrels, suppressors, magazines, grips, and stocks, may be marked "For N.H. Use Only. Export is Criminal." Marked firearms and accessories shall not be possessed or exported outside this state and shall be exempt from interstate commerce.
159-G:2 Criminal Penalties.
I. It shall be a class B misdemeanor to export or transfer a marked firearm or firearm accessory under RSA 159-G:1 outside the borders of this state.
II. It shall be a class B misdemeanor to alter, destroy, or remove "For N.H. Use Only. Export is Criminal" marking from firearms or firearms accessories, unless the firearm or accessory is rendered permanently inoperable.
159-G:3 Serial Number and Manufacturing Certificate.
I. Each marked firearm or firearm accessory shall include a unique serial number inscribed thereon, consisting of the first three letters of the city, town, or unincorporated place of manufacture, followed by the two-digit month, two-digit day, and two-digit year of manufacture, and adding sequential additional digits for further items manufactured on the same day.
II. The manufacturer shall issue a certificate of manufacture bearing the same serial number, which a purchaser shall maintain for the duration of possession. The certificate shall include multiple lines for recording transfers of ownership, including dates and transferee information.
159-G:4 Federal Regulation Exemption. Firearms and firearms accessories marked "For N.H. Use Only. Export is Criminal," that are located within this state shall be ineligible for federal regulation under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution and any act of the United States Congress reliant on authority delegated under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2392
12/1/25
HB 1697-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association