Safer Communities
In theLive Free or Die state of New Hampshire, we pride ourselves on our freedoms and the continual fight to protect them.
But we must also recognize that freedom comes with responsibility. Every policy choice has consequences, and we should be honest about the costs that come with them.
Take the recent decision to eliminate vehicle inspection stickers. That decision is expected to cost the state approximately $3.5 million in annual revenue, with about 12% of that loss affecting municipalities.
Other freedoms also come with costs—both financial and human.
Our policy choices regarding firearms have costs. Firearm injuries cost New Hampshire an estimated $2.2 billion annually, with more than $22.4 million in taxpayer dollars spent on medical care, emergency services, and criminal justice costs. Beyond the financial burden is the immeasurable cost of lost lives. Approximately 88% of firearm deaths in New Hampshire are suicides.
Across the United States, firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens 1-19. That is a tragedy we cannot continue to accept. Instead of focusing on meaningful prevention, we're placing additional financial burdens on our towns with measures like requiring every school door and window to be labeled in case of active shooters. While well-intentioned, that is not a solution to the root problem.
I want to be clear: I have no desire to take away anyone's firearms. I do believe, however, that responsible gun ownership and reasonable public safety measures can coexist. In fact, I believe many responsible gun owners would support common-sense measures that protect lives while respecting constitutional rights.
One reform I support is an Extreme Risk Protection Order, commonly known as a Red Flag law.
These laws allow family members, or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a serious risk to themselves or others. A judge reviews the evidence, emergency orders are temporary, and prompt hearings protect due process rights.
Research suggests these laws can:
Reduce firearm suicides by creating time and distance during moments of crisis.
Give families and law enforcement a legal way to intervene before violence occurs.
Protect constitutional rights through judicial oversight and timely hearings.
Following the horrific mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, in October 2023, lawmakers enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order law to provide another tool for intervention. Like many mass shootings, there were warning signs beforehand. The FBI has found that targeted acts of violence are often preceded by concerning behaviors that family members, coworkers, or law enforcement observe. While no law can guarantee a tragedy will be prevented, giving courts the ability to act on credible evidence before violence occurs has the potential to save lives.
Any Red Flag law should also include strong safeguards. Knowingly filing a false or malicious petition should carry meaningful penalties. Protecting due process and preventing abuse are just as important as protecting public safety, and those safeguards can help address concerns from responsible gun owners.
This should not be a partisan issue. It should be a bipartisan solution that respects the Second Amendment while recognizing that rights come with responsibilities.
If we can save lives, reduce suicides, lessen the financial burden on taxpayers, and protect the rights of responsible gun owners at the same time, then that's a solution worth pursuing. As Granite Staters, we should be able to come together around policies that preserve both our freedoms and our responsibility to protect one another.