New Hampshire’s Campus Carry Fight Is Becoming a Litmus Test for the Second Amendment

Despite being the original "Constiutional Carry" state, New Hampshire has not supported sturdents in their right of self-defense on campuses like the University of New Hampshire

Gun owners in New Hampshire are hearing rumors that certain “pro-gun” organizations may still hand out A+ ratings to lawmakers. The rumor is they will do that even if those lawmakers refuse to support Campus Carry. That is not what we do here at 2 If By Sea Tactical. We are unapologetic in our defense of the Second Amendment and harsh graders when it comes to politicians.

If politicians want the support of gun owners, they need to earn it. We do not care about election-year slogans or carefully crafted ratings. We need to see them support our rights with actual votes once in office. Too many times, we have seen politicians make promises and then do nothing once achieving office.

Tomorrow, the New Hampshire Senate is expected to hear HB 1793, also known as the Protecting College Students Act. This bill is straightforward in its purpose. It would prohibit public colleges and universities from banning the lawful exercising of one’s rights. This bill would eliminate bans on the possession, carrying, and storage of firearms on campus.

It would allow students the ability to use their right of self-defense with firearms and other less-lethal self-defense tools. This bill is about restoring rights to those who are currently left defenseless with little to no legal recourse.

This bill even goes one step further. It allows citizens to take legal action against institutions that violate those protections. This means universities could finally be held accountable for infringing on lawful self-defense rights.

The Contradiction

This is what is frustrating about New Hampshire for many gun owners. New Hampshire already recognizes Constitutional Carry and was the first state to do so. It allows law-abiding adults to legally carry firearms throughout the state. But somehow, it also allows college campuses to become “Constitution-free zones”.

The moment someone steps onto university property they should not be removed of their constitutional rights. In fact, college and university campus should be areas that highlight the many God given rights that we are entitled to. However, currently most universities and colleges is where rights go to die including the right to self-defense.

The Reality of Gun-Free Zones

Gun-free zones effectively only accomplish one thing, disarming the law-abiding citizen. Violent criminals don’t obey gun free zones. They often actually target these areas as they know that the likelihood of them meeting armed resistance is next to zero.

No criminal has ever been stopped because a sign says “No Weapons” . All these policies actually do is make students, faculty, staff, and visitors vulnerable and defenseless. It makes them easy prey for those that would do them harm.

The vote on HB 1793 is a great test to see if “pro-gun” politicians are actually going to put their money where their mouth is. If they are pro-Second Amendment and our right to self-defense, then this bill should pass easily. Lawmakers have an opportunity to prove they are actually willing to defend it when it matters.

The restoration of rights is something that is picking up national steam. That is because us gun owners have grown weary of the constant attacks and removal of our protected rights. Across the country, colleges and universities continue trying to carve themselves out as special exemptions to constitutional rights. This has happened even in states with strong firearm protections.

This bill is the first step in restoring this imbalance. The most vulnerable among us should have a legal way for their own personal protection. Also, by allowing universities and colleges to exempt themselves from rights, we are teaching that those rights are not rights but privileges to the next generation. That is why we find ourselves in the current state where many think constitutional rights should be removed.

If lawmakers truly believe in the Second Amendment, then that right doesn’t disappear when you cross a magical line like on a college campus. HB 1793 is a chance for New Hampshire lawmakers to prove whether their support for gun rights is real. Or it will simply expose them as lawmakers who use the Second Amendment as just campaign material.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world.  As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.

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