relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors.
Summary
HB 1048 revises New Hampshire’s weapons law governing blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles. Under current law, these items are broadly prohibited; this bill repeals that broader prohibition and replaces it with a narrower rule that only makes it a violation for a person under 18 to carry these weapons, and for anyone to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer them to a minor. The bill also repeals the separate statutory exception section tied to the prior prohibition.
The practical effect is to legalize possession and sale of these items for adults, while preserving a restriction aimed at minors. The bill is set to take effect January 1, 2027, and the fiscal note indicates no expected revenue impact but possible, indeterminable costs to the judicial and correctional systems if enforcement or prosecutions occur.
Impact
HB 1048 would amend RSA 159:16 and repeal RSA 159:17, changing state weapons law from a general ban on blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles to an age-based restriction focused on persons under 18. Adults would no longer be prohibited by this section from possessing or receiving these items, while minors would remain barred from carrying them and from receiving them through sale, delivery, or transfer. The bill could affect criminal enforcement, court activity, and correctional workloads, though the fiscal note does not assign a specific dollar amount and states the impact is indeterminable.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received majority support in the House committee process, as reflected by the OTP vote of 191 yeas to 154 nays on March 5, 2026. The available record does not include committee testimony or floor debate, so there is no detailed transcript-based account of arguments for or against the bill. The vote margin suggests the measure was somewhat controversial rather than unanimous, with meaningful opposition remaining even as it advanced.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy choice to remove the existing blanket prohibition on these weapons for adults. Supporters likely view the bill as narrowing an outdated restriction and limiting criminal liability to minors, while opponents may see the change as weakening public-safety protections by allowing adult possession and sale of weapons associated with concealability or close-quarters harm. The fiscal note also flags possible judicial and correctional costs, which may be of concern to agencies even though the bill’s direct revenue impact is zero.
Creating an exception to the prohibition on removing VIN tags from vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 where removal is reasonably necessary for repair or restoration.