Legislation that would allow legally permitted college students to carry firearms on campus for self-defense has passed the New Hampshire House and is now pending consideration in the state Senate.

The bill, HB 1793, is sponsored by state Rep. Sam Farrington (R) and would extend the state’s existing “constitutional carry” framework to public college campuses. Supporters argue the measure ensures that students who are legally allowed to carry firearms elsewhere in the state are not restricted while on university property.

Farrington said the legislation is consistent with New Hampshire’s broader firearms laws, which do not require a permit for concealed carry by eligible adults. He argued that college students, many of whom are legal adults, should not lose constitutional rights upon entering campus settings.

He also pointed to comparisons with civic responsibilities such as voting and military service, suggesting that students should retain Second Amendment protections while attending school.

The bill’s advancement places New Hampshire among a small group of states that allow some form of campus carry. Supporters note that roughly ten states currently permit firearms on college campuses under certain conditions, while opponents point to past policy changes in other states that restricted or eliminated similar provisions.

Critics of the measure, including state Sen. Bill Gannon (R), have raised concerns about firearms in dormitories and residential campus environments, arguing that housing settings present unique safety challenges. Supporters counter that other states with campus carry laws have not seen significant increases in firearm-related incidents tied directly to campus policies.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to debate questions of campus safety, student rights, and institutional control over firearms policy before any final decision is made.