I support HB 1108. It makes clearer that a person - who fears harm to self, his/her property, etc. - does not commit a criminal offense by seeking to deter the action feared, even if that requires the display of a weapon. Some cannot be deterred by words alone, e.g., those: amidst a psychotic incident, under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or gripped by a volcanic rage. Confronted by someone with whom it is impossible to reason, a reasonsable person should not have to fear prosecution, if s/he produces a weapon to stop an attack. Our law should always differentiate sharply between the evil-doers and the righteous person. These two should never be treated alike. To treat the evil-doer the same as the law-abiding person is the essence of moral perversion.
HB1108
House · 2026 sessionRepublicanKilled in HouseCriminal threatening offense standard
AIRevises the standard for when a person is not deemed to have committed criminal threatening when responding to certain threats.
relative to the offense of criminal threatening.
Status
Killed in the House — indefinitely postponed · March 11, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
47 submissionsThis is far too broad in its reach and welcomes deadly violence in otherwise minor (albeit illegal) altercations. A person so quick to brandish a gun in these instances would also be quick to pull the trigger.
This bill would require a person to make a judgment call about whether the situation is one in which a "reasonable person" could perceive a serious threat. In situations in which we feel threatened (whether real or not), our brain does not allow us to make these kinds of judgment calls until we have had the chance to calm our emotions. Displaying a firearm in these situations only increases the potential for tragic results.
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to urge your support for HB 1108, which provides important reforms to New Hampshire's criminal threatening statute. This legislation will: • Provide needed clarity in the application of criminal threatening charges • Ensure fair and balanced enforcement of these laws • Protect the rights of law-abiding citizens while maintaining public safety I respectfully request that you vote Ought to Pass on HB 1108. Respectfully, Brady Owens Nashua, NH
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to urge your support for HB 1108, which provides important reforms to New Hampshire's criminal threatening statute. This legislation will: • Provide needed clarity in the application of criminal threatening charges • Ensure fair and balanced enforcement of these laws • Protect the rights of law-abiding citizens while maintaining public safety I respectfully request that you vote Ought to Pass on HB 1108. Respectfully, Kimberly Owens Nashua, NH
NEVER EVER PULL OUT, DISPLAY AND WAVE AROUND A LETHAL WEAPON UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY WILL USE IT TO KILL IMMEDIATELY. You have to stone-cold stupid to play with weapons. If you don't intend to kill ... Don't touch that weapon. People 100 years ago had more sense than this bill.
I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency, access, or fairness in public processes and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.
As a matter of public safety, I oppose this bill as it relates to essentially legalizing brandishing a weapon.
I am tired of watching peoples constitutional rights be violated. I am horrified by the actions of ICE. As someone who has family members who are members of local and federal law enforcement, I value the safety of our officers and at the same time value the rights and freedoms our citizens have to be treated with equal rights under our laws and regulations.
Foolish and immoral if there is no threat of imminent harm!
This will get people killed. This is a terrible bill and I strongly oppose it.
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