Jan. 04--HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. -- A controversial bill lawmakers are considering will add yet another element to the swimsuits, beach towels and surfboards commonly seen on Hampton Beach -- guns.
Lawmakers are poised to vote today on three gun bills posed by conservative lawmakers that will legalize gun possession on most public property, including the University of New Hampshire campus and state parks.
Democratic Gov. John Lynch pleaded yesterday with House lawmakers to reject the bills.
"These bills represent a radical departure from our approach to public safety here in New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "New Hampshire is a place with very little violent crime, a place where families and seniors can feel safe in their homes, their neighborhoods and their communities. We need to be doing all we can to continue to ensure New Hampshire remains the safe state that it currently is."
House Bill 334 would give the Legislature sole authority to regulate guns on public land or in publicly owned or financed buildings, according to the governor's office.
"This means that there could be no prohibition on guns in public college or university classrooms, dorms or anywhere else on campus," a statement from Lynch's office read.
It also could let guns into Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester or buildings leased by private companies at Pease International Tradeport, according to the governor.
Lynch also is opposing HB 536. That would do away with a gun permitting process that's been in place for decades, according to Lynch. HB 194, meanwhile, would overturn a ban on loaded guns in vehicles.
"This would dramatically increase risks for accidental discharge," the governor's office said.
Proponents of the measures disagree.
"The governor is blowing this all out of proportion for political gain," Rep. Al Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, said.
Baldasaro is a sponsor of HB 334 and supports the other bills.
He said HB 334 brings state colleges and universities into line with existing state law, while letting private colleges and universities keep their own policies.
New Hampshire law allows people to openly carry guns, Baldasaro pointed out. They must obtain a permit from police if they wish to conceal the gun under clothing or in a vehicle, he said.
"State colleges are making their own rules, going against the law of New Hampshire," Baldasaro said.
Under state law, a person is free to walk into a public library, wearing a gun, he said.
"Right now, you can wear a gun in libraries," he said.
New Hampshire's respect for the rights of gun owners is why there is less crime here than other states, Baldasaro said.
"People think twice about breaking in because of our gun laws," he said.
He said he is optimistic about passage for HB 334 and the other bills.
"The outlook in the House is it's going to pass," Baldasaro said. "New Hampshire is live free or die."
House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, said there may be a number of floor amendments on HB 334.
"Our goal in House leadership is to ensure we protect citizen rights to bear arms," Bettencourt said.
Baldasaro also likes the bills' prospects in the Senate.
"I think we have good support," Baldasaro said.
"I don't think that is a message we should be sending to businesses we are trying to bring to New Hampshire, and could threaten the success of Pease," Gov. Lynch said. "I ask the House to listen our higher-education administrators and to law enforcement and reject this reckless legislation. It is uncalled for and unnecessary."
Baldasaro said he isn't concerned about the opposition from police chiefs.
"Keep in mind, a lot of our chiefs come from out of state, Massachusetts and other places," Baldasaro said. "They think they're God. This is a political show for the governor, that's all it is."
Copyright 2012 - The Daily News of Newburyport, Mass.
