Veronica JoyceOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Don't let people shoot people. Property damage does not merit gun violence.
HB1244
House · 2026 sessionRepublicanKilled in HouseSelf-defense exception to criminal threatening
AIExempts a person from a criminal threatening charge when they display a firearm or other means of self-defense to warn away someone criminally trespassing or threatening property damage, serious injury, or death.
relative to exceptions to the charge of criminal threatening.
Crimes, Crim.Proc. & Corr.Courts and Procedure
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Division of testimony
180 submissionsSupport 156(141 form letter)Oppose 24Neutral 0
Hatched = form letter · 141 of 180 written submissions (78%) came from organized campaigns
Argument digest · AI-generated
from 8 of 148 written submissionsHouse Bill 1244 would create exceptions to the criminal threatening statute, primarily to shield self-defense-related communications and lawful exercise of constitutional rights from being prosecuted as threats. Supporters, largely through a form-letter campaign, argue the bill protects lawful speech while preserving penalties for genuine threats; opponents worry it would legitimize using threats or force to defend property without requiring an imminent threat to life, raising the risk of violence and weakening protections for victims.
- Protects lawful self-defense speech and constitutional rightsSupport1 of 8 reviewed · 141 via form letter
Submitters argue the bill protects legitimate self-defense communications and lawful expressions of constitutional rights from being mischaracterized or prosecuted as criminal threats, while preserving clear definitions and appropriate penalties for genuinely threatening conduct.
“HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation.”
— form letter, submitted 141 times · #574406 — read full submission →
“it helps ensure that legitimate self defense related communications and lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not mischaracterized or prosecuted as criminal threats.”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefield · #576384 — read full submission →
- Would legitimize threats or force to defend property without imminent dangerOppose4 of 8 reviewed
Opponents argue the bill would allow threatening behavior or use of force in defense of mere property, even absent an imminent threat to a person's life or safety.
“You should NOT be able to shoot someone unless your life or your families life is in danger. Trespassing alone isn't an imminent threat”
— DONNA CUSICK, Hudson · #582076 — read full submission →
“Lethal force shouldn't be sanctioned in the defense of property absent imminent personal harm.”
— Gregory Davis, Salem · #569248 — read full submission →
- Risk of escalating violence and fatalitiesOppose2 of 8 reviewed
Opponents warn that loosening the criminal threatening statute in this way could get people killed by encouraging the display or use of weapons in confrontations.
- Expands immunity in aggressive situations, weakening victim protectionsOppose1 of 8 reviewed
A submitter argues the bill broadens legal immunity for aggressive conduct, which would weaken protections for victims.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 22, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
Form-letter campaigns
141 of 148 written submissions (95%)141 submissions match a shared template; 7 are individually written.
- Support for Exceptions to Criminal ThreateningSupport141 submissions on this bill
The legislation is argued to strike a balance by protecting legitimate self-defense and constitutional expressions while maintaining penalties for actual threats.
The letter · submitted 141 times I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Brendan Rainville Plaistow, NH
Detected by text-similarity clustering; campaign names are AI-generated.
Hannah MeiselmanOpposeManchester, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Expands immunity in aggressive situations, weakening protections for victims.
Jim MoffettSupportForm letterNewmarket, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Jim Moffett Newmarket, NH
Michael RaimondiSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Michael Raimondi
Hillary RaimondiSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Hillary Raimondi
Lauren SaltalamacchiaSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Lauren Saltalamacchia
Edward SaltalamacchiaSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Edward Saltalamacchia
Charlotte ConstantianSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Charlotte Constantian Hollis, NH
Jerry GieseckeSupportForm letterMerrimack, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Jerry Giesecke Merrimack, NH
Brian HoodSupportForm letterNew Ipswich, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Brian Hood New Ipswich, NH
Carla RamirezSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Carla Ramirez
Tina HoodSupportForm letterNew Ipswich, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Tina Hood New Ipswich, NH
ed trzcinskiSupportForm letterPittsfield, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, ed trzcinski Pittsfield, NH
Rene LeclercSupportForm letterCandia, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Rene Leclerc Candia, NH
Eric RothkopfSupportForm letterNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Eric Rothkopf Nashua, NH
DAVID FRESCHISupportForm letterHOOKSETT, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, DAVID FRESCHI HOOKSETT, NH
Sikt GroteSupportForm letterNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Sikt Grote Nashua, NH
Daniel RichardsonOpposeNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
NEVER EVER wave a gun as a threat. That is sure to get you killed. My pappy told me NEVER display a gun unless you are fully committed to killing with it. The bar should be high, but this bill suggests wild west counter-threatening to defend property. This would legitimize stupid behavior.
Susan RomitoSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Susan Romito Hollis, NH
Eric MorinSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Eric Morin Hollis, NH
Peter StaubleSupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Peter Stauble Hollis, NH
Debra BlakeSupportForm letterHooksett, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Debra Blake Hooksett, NH
Virgina GradySupportForm letterHollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Virgina Grady Hollis, NH
janine byronSupportForm letterhollis, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, janine byron hollis, NH
Don DignanSupportForm letterNashua, NHfor MyselfJan 29, 2026
Honorable Committee Members, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1244, which addresses important exceptions to criminal threatening charges. This legislation is crucial because it: • Protects legitimate self-defense communications from being criminalized • Ensures lawful expressions of constitutional rights are not prosecuted as threats • Provides clear legal definitions that help both citizens and law enforcement understand what constitutes criminal threatening • Maintains appropriate penalties for actual threatening behavior while protecting lawful conduct • Supports both public safety and individual constitutional rights HB 1244 strikes the right balance between protecting public safety and preserving our fundamental rights. I urge you to vote Ought to Pass on this important legislation. Respectfully, Don Dignan Nashua, NH