New Hampshire Campus Gun Bill Fails, Sponsor Plans Legal Challenge
A New Hampshire legislative effort to allow firearms and pepper spray on public college campuses failed after the state Senate rejected a conference committee. Sponsor Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester) vows to challenge campus gun bans under the state’s pre-emption statute, arguing unelected administrators violate state law. The University of New Hampshire maintains its restrictions were legislatively authorized. The debate follows recent shootings at Brown and Old Dominion Universities, with conflicting research on gun-free zone safety.
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New Hampshire Bill to Allow Guns on Campus Fails; Sponsor Vows Legal Challenge
On May 22, 2026, a legislative effort in New Hampshire to eliminate gun-free zones on public college campuses failed when the state Senate voted against a committee of conference to renegotiate the bill. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester), would have also allowed students to carry nonlethal weapons like pepper spray. Farrington, a recent University of New Hampshire graduate, plans to pursue a legal challenge under New Hampshire's pre-emption statute, arguing that gun bans imposed by unelected university administrators are illegal. UNH maintains its restrictions were adopted under authority granted by the Legislature. New Hampshire is one of 37 states where college campuses are gun-free zones. The article notes that deadly shootings occurred this school year at Brown University and Old Dominion University, and cites research showing mixed evidence on whether gun-free zones affect safety. Farrington argues gun-free zones leave victims defenseless, referencing the Castle Rock v. Gonzales Supreme Court decision. The article also mentions student op-eds criticizing Yale's security approach after the Brown shooting.
Reason.comNew Hampshire Campus Gun Bill Fails, Sponsor Vows Legal Challenge
A legislative effort to eliminate gun-free zones on New Hampshire public college campuses has failed after the state Senate voted against a committee of conference to renegotiate the bill. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester), would have allowed students to carry firearms and nonlethal weapons like pepper spray. Farrington, a recent University of New Hampshire graduate, plans to challenge campus gun bans under New Hampshire's pre-emption statute, arguing that policies imposed by unelected administrators violate state law. The university maintains its restrictions were adopted under legislative authority. New Hampshire is one of 37 states where college campuses remain gun-free zones. The article notes that deadly shootings occurred this school year at Brown University and Old Dominion University, and cites conflicting research on whether gun-free zones affect safety. Farrington argues that gun-free zones leave victims defenseless, referencing the Castle Rock v. Gonzales Supreme Court decision. The article also mentions student op-eds criticizing Yale's security approach after the Brown shooting.
Reason.comNew Hampshire Bill to Allow Guns on Campus Fails; Sponsor Vows Legal Challenge
A legislative effort in New Hampshire to eliminate gun-free zones on public college campuses has failed after the state Senate voted against a committee of conference to renegotiate the bill. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester), would have allowed students to carry firearms and nonlethal weapons like pepper spray. Farrington, a recent University of New Hampshire graduate, plans to pursue a legal challenge under New Hampshire's pre-emption statute, arguing that campus gun bans imposed by unelected administrators violate state law. UNH maintains its restrictions were adopted under authority granted by the Legislature. New Hampshire is one of 37 states where college campuses remain gun-free zones. The article notes that over 80% of mass public shootings since 1998 have occurred in gun-free zones, though research on the effectiveness of such policies is mixed. Farrington argues the issue is about safety, citing open access to campus buildings and the Supreme Court's Castle Rock v. Gonzales decision, which held that police are not obligated to protect individuals. The article also mentions student criticism of campus security at Yale following a recent shooting at Brown University.
Reason.comNew Hampshire Bill to Allow Guns on College Campuses Fails, Legal Challenge Planned
A legislative effort in New Hampshire to eliminate gun-free zones on public college campuses has failed after the state Senate voted against a committee of conference to renegotiate the bill. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester), would have allowed students to carry firearms and nonlethal weapons like pepper spray on campus. Farrington, a recent University of New Hampshire graduate, plans to pursue a legal challenge under the state's pre-emption statute, arguing that campus gun bans imposed by unelected administrators violate state law. UNH maintains its restrictions were adopted under authority granted by the Legislature. New Hampshire is among 37 states where college campuses remain gun-free zones. The article notes that recent deadly shootings at Brown University and Old Dominion University have sparked debate, with Farrington arguing that gun-free zones leave victims defenseless. A RAND study found no significant relationship between campus carry laws and violent crime, though it noted lower property crime rates in states allowing unpermitted concealed carry.
Reason.comNew Hampshire Campus Gun Bill Fails, Sponsor Vows Legal Challenge
A legislative effort to eliminate gun-free zones on New Hampshire public college campuses has failed after the state Senate voted against a committee of conference to renegotiate the bill. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R-Rochester), would have allowed students to carry firearms and nonlethal weapons like pepper spray. Farrington, a recent University of New Hampshire graduate, plans to challenge the campus gun ban under New Hampshire's pre-emption statute, arguing that policies imposed by unelected university administrators violate state law. The university maintains its restrictions were adopted under legislative authority. New Hampshire is one of 37 states where college campuses remain gun-free zones. The article notes that deadly shootings occurred this school year at Brown University and Old Dominion University, both in gun-free zone states. Farrington argues the ban leaves students defenseless, citing the Castle Rock v. Gonzales decision. Research cited shows mixed evidence on the impact of campus carry laws on safety.
Reason.com