New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu Vetoes Red Flag Gun Confiscation Order

On August 7, 2020, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu vetoed a “red flag” law proposal.

This bill would have allegedly facilitated the temporary confiscation of firearms without due process for people who are perceived to be a risk to themselves or other individuals.

Sununu cited constitutional concerns for his veto. The New Hampshire Governor’s veto of the red flag bill was a microcosm of a tense session of the New Hampshire General Court.

Democrats were able to pass House Bill 687, which would have established a red flag law. Under this law, family members could file a petition to a court to disarm an individual who is viewed as a threat to themselves or others. A complete affront to due process, the gun owner would only then be allowed to fight the action in court.

Second Amendment supporters have adamantly opposed this kind of legislation. They are of the opinion that it infringes on the right to bear arms and the right to a fair trial. Sununu was in agreement, and in his veto message he stated that the bill “goes too far and would weaken the constitutional rights of law-abiding New Hampshire citizens,” while he mentioned how the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution would be in jeopardy if this bill was passed.

“I will continue to prioritize suicide prevention and mental health as there is much work yet to be done in New Hampshire, but that work cannot come at the expense of the constitutional rights of our citizens,” Sununu wrote.

New Hampshire is one of the more pro-gun states in the country, with a ranking of 17th place according to Guns & Ammo’s Best States for Gun Owners rankings.

For once, a Republican Governor stood up against the anti-gun mob and rejected a blatantly anti-Second Amendment bill. More Republicans should follow suit by categorically rejecting the pet projects of the radical Left.

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