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RSA 644:13 · Unauthorized Use of Firearms

Title
LXII: CRIMINAL CODE
Chapter
644 · BREACHES OF THE PEACE AND RELATED OFFENSES
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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644:13 Unauthorized Use of Firearms. –

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I.

A person is guilty of a violation if, within the compact part of a town or city, such person fires or discharges any cannon, gun, pistol, air rifle or other firearm, except by written permission of the chief of police or governing body.

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II.

For the purposes of this section:

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(a)

"Blank ammunition" means a cartridge loaded with propellant and a wad, but no projectile.

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(b)

"Compact part" means the territory within a town or city comprised of the following:

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(1)

Any nonresidential, commercial building, including, but not limited to, industrial, educational, or medical buildings, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all such buildings without permission of the owner.

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(2)

Any park, playground, or other outdoor public gathering place designated by the legislative body of the city or town.

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(3)

Any contiguous area containing 6 or more buildings which are used as either part-time or permanent dwellings and the spaces between them where each such building is within 300 feet of at least one of the others, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all the buildings in such area.

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III.

Paragraph I shall not apply to the firing or discharge of a cannon, gun, pistol, air rifle, or other firearm within the compact part of a town or city for the following events, provided that the person responsible for organizing the event notifies the police department and the fire department prior to the following events using blank ammunition:

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(a)

The celebration of, or practice for the celebration of, military events, military funerals, national holidays, or other military or veterans commemorations, conducted by United States armed forces personnel; or

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(b)

Military re-enactors registered with the secretary of state's office and who meet the requirements of the state fire code pursuant to RSA 153:5; or

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(c)

Funerals or commemorative events conducted by law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical services, or other public safety agencies, or official veterans organizations including, but not limited to the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. Source. 1971, 518:1. 1991, 164:1. 1996, 161:1, 2. 2014, 264:1. 2015, 94:1, 2, eff. Aug. 4, 2015. 2025, 21:4, eff. July 13, 2025.

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Source note

Source. 1971, 518:1. 1991, 164:1. 1996, 161:1, 2. 2014, 264:1. 2015, 94:1, 2, eff. Aug. 4, 2015. 2025, 21:4, eff. July 13, 2025.

Source history

  • 1971, 518:1
  • 1991, 164:1
  • 1996, 161:1, 2
  • 2014, 264:1
  • 2015, 94:1, 2, eff. Aug. 4, 2015
  • 2025, 21:4, eff. July 13, 2025

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1013 amend

    wherein the object is to capture a pig. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Contests Involving Pigs. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 8-g the following new section: 644:8-h Contests Involving Pigs. In order to promote an educational, humane, and safe event for contestants, livestock, and viewers, and in consultation with l

  • 2026 HB1013-FN amend

    wherein the object is to capture a pig. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Contests Involving Pigs. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 8-g the following new section: 644:8-h Contests Involving Pigs. In order to promote an educational, humane, and safe event for contestants, livestock, and viewers, and in consultation with l

  • 2026 HB293 amend · effective 2026-01-01

    son who disables a filter may be subject to criminal prosecution under RSA 644:9-b. 3 New Section; Disabling an Electronic Device Filter for the Purpose of Allowing Access to Obscene Material by a Minor. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 9-a the following new section: 644:9-b Disabling an Electronic Device Filter for the Purpose of Allowing Access to Obscene Material by a Minor. I. The terms "device", "filter", "manu

  • 2026 HB293-FN amend · effective 2026-01-01

    subject to criminal prosecution under RSA 644:9-b. 3 New Section; Disabling an Electronic Device Filter for the Purpose of Allowing Access to Obscene Material by a Minor. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 9-a the following new section: 644:9-b Disabling an Electronic Device Filter for the Purpose of Allowing Access to Obscene Material by a Minor. I. The terms "device", "filter", "manufactur

  • 2025 HB201 add

    Two Thousand Twenty Five AN ACT prohibiting the removal of claws from cats. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Removal of Claws from Cats. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 8-g the following new section: 644:8-h Removal of Claws from Cats Prohibited. I. No person shall remove the claws of a cat by performing an onychectomy, partial or complete phalangec

  • 2025 HB211 amend

    rgy at the muzzle. An air rifle shall be considered loaded when a projectile is inserted in the chamber. "Air rifle" also means air gun and pneumatic rifle. 21:4 Unauthorized Use of Firearms; Air Rifles. Amend RSA 644:13 to read as follows: 644:13 Unauthorized Use of Firearms. I. A person is guilty of a violation if, within the compact part of a town or city, such person fires or discharges any cannon, gun, pistol, air rifle o

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