2 county sheriffs join letter raising school safety concerns about New Hampshire's new gun law
Attorney general says law limiting ability to enforce federal laws wouldn't impact school safety
Attorney general says law limiting ability to enforce federal laws wouldn't impact school safety
Attorney general says law limiting ability to enforce federal laws wouldn't impact school safety
Some county sheriffs in New Hampshire are concerned about the potential impact of a new gun law recently signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, saying it could affect school safety and certain investigations.
The bill aims to limit the ability of state and local officials to help enforce federal gun laws. On Thursday, two New Hampshire county sheriffs joined House Democrats to say they worry the law will prevent them from upholding public safety, particularly when it comes to enforcing gun-free school zones.
"This new law appears to disempower our law enforcement from taking action to prevent firearm tragedies at school," the officials said in a letter to the New Hampshire attorney general.
"This bill as written would basically eliminate the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act," said Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave. "I believe that no school administrator or educator should have to decide between violating state or federal law."
Brave is calling for guidance to be issued by the attorney general's office. The attorney general has already tried to quell some concerns, saying two weeks ago he believes this law is much more narrowly tailored than what has been discussed.
The attorney general's office is strongly rejecting the idea the new law could impede the response to a gun incident on a school campus.
"The New Hampshire Department of Justice is disappointed that some in law enforcement would choose to join an open letter that incorrectly suggests that HB 1178 prevents state and local law enforcement from responding to threats at schools," the department said in a written statement. "The publication of this type of misinformation is extremely irresponsible and undermines public safety. We are providing interim guidance to schools to correct this misinformation."