New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License - The Basics

Is a license required?

No. Since SB 12 took effect on February 22, 2017, RSA 159:6, III makes clear that a license to carry is NOT required for an adult who is not a prohibited person to carry a loaded pistol or revolver in New Hampshire, openly or concealed, on or about the person or in a vehicle. New Hampshire is a constitutional-carry state. The statute provides that the availability of a license "shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire."

Why people still get the license

The optional Pistol/Revolver License under RSA 159:6 is still useful for:

• Carry in other states. The NH license is what NH residents present when they travel to states that require a permit. Under RSA 159:6-d the Director of the Division of State Police is directed to negotiate and enter into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions so those jurisdictions will recognize the validity of the NH license, and to apply at least once every 5 years to every jurisdiction with which New Hampshire has no agreement. Note the direction of this statute: RSA 159:6-d is about getting the NH license recognized in OTHER states. It does not govern whether New Hampshire honors an out-of-state license. New Hampshire allows carry by any non-prohibited adult, license or not, because it is a constitutional-carry state under RSA 159:6, III, so a visitor with an out-of-state permit may carry here on the same terms as anyone else who is not prohibited.
• Federal Brady alternative. Under 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(3) an FFL may complete a transfer without a separate NICS check when the buyer presents a state-issued permit that allows the person to possess or acquire a firearm, was issued within the prior 5 years by the state where the transfer takes place, and was issued only after an authorized government official verified the person is not prohibited. The NH Pistol/Revolver License is built to meet those criteria.
• Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. 18 U.S.C. 922(q)(2)(B)(ii) creates an exception to the federal school-zone possession ban for a person who is licensed to carry by the state in which the school zone is located (or a political subdivision of that state), where state law requires law enforcement to verify the applicant is qualified before issuing the license. A NH license-holder fits that exception for school zones inside New Hampshire. The exception is for the 1,000-foot federal "school zone." It does not authorize carry on school property itself, which remains governed by other law.
• Documentation of a clean record. For purposes that look at firearm-license eligibility (some employment, training-school enrollment), the NH license is a useful credential.

Issuing authority - who signs the license

Per RSA 159:6, I(a):

• For a resident of a town, city, or unincorporated place: the selectmen of the town, the mayor or chief of police of the city, or a full-time police officer designated by them. The county sheriff is the issuing authority for a resident of an unincorporated place, or if designated by the selectmen of a town that has no police chief.
• For a nonresident of New Hampshire: the Director of State Police, or some person the director designates.

Term

Not less than 5 years. RSA 159:6, I(a) directs the issuing authority to sign and issue a license authorizing the applicant to carry "for not less than 5 years from the date of issue."

Form and contents of the license

Under RSA 159:6, I(b) the license is in duplicate and bears the name, address, description, and signature of the licensee, and the name, title, and signature of the person issuing it. The original is delivered to the licensee; the duplicate is preserved by the issuing authority for 5 years.

The license and application forms are prepared by the Director of State Police. The statute provides that the form "shall require no more information than was required on the state of New Hampshire application for pistol/revolver license, form DSSP 85, as revised in December 2009," and that "No other forms shall be used by officials of cities and towns." Local issuing authorities may not require additional information beyond what the state-prescribed form asks.

No photograph or fingerprint required

RSA 159:6, II provides: "No photograph or fingerprint shall be required or used as a basis to grant, deny, or renew a license to carry for a resident or nonresident, unless requested by the applicant."

This is a strong limitation. Issuing authorities may not condition the license on fingerprinting or photography, which distinguishes the NH license from many other states' carry permits.

Eligibility standard - "good reason to fear injury or any proper purpose"

RSA 159:6, I(a) requires the issuing authority to sign and issue the license if "it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to the applicant's person or property or has any proper purpose, unless the applicant is prohibited by New Hampshire or federal statute from possessing a firearm." The statute then states that "Hunting, target shooting, or self-defense shall be considered a proper purpose," and that the license is valid for all allowable purposes regardless of the purpose for which it was originally issued.

Self-defense by itself qualifies. New Hampshire functions as a "shall-issue" state for the optional license. The issuing authority must issue unless the applicant is a state or federally prohibited person.

Fees

• Resident: $10.
• Nonresident (out-of-state): $100.

Per RSA 159:6, I(b). The $10 resident fee is for the use of the town or city granting the license; the $100 out-of-state fee is for the use of the state.

Statutory issuance deadline

The license must be issued within 14 days after application under RSA 159:6, I(b). If the application is denied, the reason for denial must be stated in writing, the original of which is delivered to the applicant, and a copy kept in the office of the person to whom the application was made.

What the license is not

The NH Pistol/Revolver License is NOT a general substitute for federal law. Its FFL value is the transfer pathway in 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(3); it does not exempt the licensee from federal prohibited-person rules. It does not authorize carry in places prohibited by state or federal law. Examples:

• Courtrooms and areas used by a court, under RSA 159:19. That statute bars knowingly carrying a loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver, or firearm, or any other deadly weapon, whether open or concealed and whether licensed or unlicensed, in a courtroom or area used by a court. A violation is a class B felony. Firearms may be secured at the courthouse entrance by security personnel, and there are exceptions for law enforcement and persons with prior court authorization.
• Federal facilities, under 18 U.S.C. 930, which makes it a federal offense to knowingly possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility (with a higher penalty for a federal court facility).
• Federal school zones, under the Gun-Free School Zones Act at 18 U.S.C. 922(q), subject to the state-license exception described above.
• The secured (sterile) area of an airport and aircraft, under 49 U.S.C. 46505, which makes it a federal crime to have a concealed, accessible dangerous weapon on or attempting to board an aircraft, or to place a loaded firearm aboard. A NH license does not change this.

The license also does not preempt a private property owner's right to exclude firearms from their property.

Renewal

When required, license renewal takes place within the month of the fifth anniversary of the license holder's date of birth following the date of issuance, per RSA 159:6, I(b). See the RENEWAL_PROCESS section for details.

Where the law is changing

The statutory history of RSA 159:6 includes amendments in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2024. The 2017 amendment (2017, 1:1, effective February 22, 2017) is the SB 12 constitutional-carry change. The most recent listed amendment is 2024, 15:1, effective July 13, 2024. Carriers should consult the current RSA text for the latest version.