repealing the license to sell pistols and revolvers and limiting liability for certain design features of firearms.
HB 551 repeals the requirement for a license to sell pistols and revolvers in New Hampshire. It also limits legal liability for firearm manufacturers regarding specific design features of these weapons. The bill directly affects gun sellers (who no longer need this license) and manufacturers (who face reduced liability for certain design aspects). The law became effective immediately upon Governor Ayotte's signature on May 23, 2025. This represents a change to licensing requirements and liability rules for pistol and revolver sales.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed May 27, 2025
Floor votes · House May 22, 2025
How they voted
103–96
Passed · 22 other
Total votes 221
May 22, 2025
D
Democratic106
89% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Nay
R
Republican113
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
3
May 27, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/23/2025; Chapter 40; eff. 05/23/2025
lower
May 22, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (103-96-22)
house
May 22, 2025
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1907s (Rep. Roy): MA RC 200-161 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 2
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
upper
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2025-1907s, RC 16Y-8N, AA; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/08/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 20
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 19
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 9
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0818h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-0818h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 9
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0818h 03/07/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 15
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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