Your adult child has a history of depression. He has been particularly despondent during the holidays and you find out that he just purchased a gun. Your spouse was recently let go from his job following a heated argument with his boss. He is furious and keeps saying, “He’ll pay for this.” He goes out and buys a gun. What recourse does a parent or spouse in New Hampshire have to try to divert these possible tragedies?
The N.H. House Criminal Justice Committee has been working on House Bill 687, Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), throughout 2019. The “Murphy Amendment” has been added to strengthen the due process protections contained in the bill. Seventeen states plus the District of Columbia currently have enacted these “red flag” laws that allow specific individuals (law enforcement officer, family, household member or intimate partner) to petition the court for a temporary order to restrict an individual’s access to firearms if that person is found to pose a risk to themselves or others.
Suicide by gun in New Hampshire has increased by 47% between 2008-2017. We can do something about this. The N.H. House is expected to vote on HB 687 during the first week of the session in January. Please contact your state representative to express support for this bill.
BERNADETTE CAMERON
Deerfield