HB1244 Relative to exceptions to the charge of criminal threatening.
Relative to exceptions to the charge of criminal threatening.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
No direct fiscal cost identified; potential indeterminable impacts on judicial and correctional systems are noted but not quantified.
Your Community
May reduce legal liability for property owners defending against trespass, but unclear how often this scenario occurs or affects community safety outcomes.
Your Freedom
Expands legal protection for defensive actions by property owners and residents responding to criminal trespass or threats, reducing risk of criminal prosecution in those specific circumstances.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/05/2026 House Journal 6 P. 6
Sponsor
Samuel Farrington (R)
The Short Version
This bill creates a legal exception allowing property owners or residents to display a firearm or other defensive means against criminal trespassers or those making threats, without being charged with criminal threatening themselves. The practical effect is to expand the circumstances under which displaying a weapon is legally protected, though the fiscal impact on courts and corrections is uncertain.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Property owners displaying firearms or defensive means against criminal trespassers
- ▲ Residents defending against threats involving property damage or bodily injury risk
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Potentially criminal trespassers or persons making threats, if defensive displays become more legally protected
- ▼ Possibly law enforcement and courts, if determining the 'reasonable person' standard for what threats qualify requires additional litigation
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.