TITLE LXII
CRIMINAL CODE

CHAPTER 644
BREACHES OF THE PEACE AND RELATED OFFENSES

Section 644:13

    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, or other firearm, except by written permission of the chief of police or governing body.
II. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Blank ammunition" means a cartridge loaded with propellant and a wad, but no projectile.
(b) "Compact part" means the territory within a town or city comprised of the following:
(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.
(2) Any park, playground, or other outdoor public gathering place designated by the legislative body of the city or town.
(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.
III. Paragraph I shall not apply to the firing or discharge of a cannon, gun, pistol, 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:
(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
(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
(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.