NH Senate Blocks Campus Carry Bill After Rejecting Conference Committee

TL;DR: The New Hampshire Senate refused to negotiate a compromise with the House on May 21, killing a bill that would have allowed guns on public college campuses. The move ends the legislative push for campus carry this year.

Context: HB 1793, sponsored by Representative Sam Farrington of Rochester, aimed to stop state colleges from setting their own firearm rules. It would have barred campuses from regulating guns as well as non‑lethal tools like pepper spray, mace, stun guns and tasers.

Context: The House passed the bill in February with almost unanimous Republican backing. In the Senate, leaders first recommended the measure go to study, then amended it to permit only faculty to carry weapons.

Key Facts: On May 14 the Senate voted 14‑8 along party lines to approve a faculty‑only campus carry amendment. The same vote sent the student‑carry portion of the bill to a study committee for further review.

Key Facts: Senate Judiciary Chairman Bill Gannon warned that placing guns on campus would create a dangerous and volatile situation.

Key Facts: The House rejected the faculty‑only change and asked for a conference committee to work out a compromise. On May 21 the Senate declined that request on a voice vote, a step Representative Farrington said effectively killed the bill for the year.

What It Means: With the Senate’s refusal to confer, the legislation cannot advance this session, leaving current campus weapons policies unchanged. Colleges retain the authority to set their own firearm and non‑lethal weapon rules.

What It Means: Supporters of the bill argued it would strengthen Second Amendment rights and improve safety by allowing trained personnel to carry guns. Opponents—including the University of New Hampshire student body, its administration, Durham town leaders and local police—said more firearms on campus increase risk of accidents and violence.

What It Means: Observers will watch whether legislators reintroduce a similar campus carry proposal in the next session or pursue alternative safety measures such as expanded mental‑health services or improved campus policing. The outcome will shape the debate over gun rights versus campus security in New Hampshire.