Liberty in Our Lifetime

We don’t want to wait decades for most is most American citizens to realize that the nanny state is an insult to their dignity. For those of us who already understand the debilitating effects of a government bent on reducing liberty rather your life than increasing it, the Free State Project offers the potential for real liberty within our lifetimes. The project aims at the achievable goal of liberty in a single state where all can live free.

Also see this video about Free Staters helping each other build a gun range

What do we mean by liberty? We believe that being free and independent is not only a great way to live, but the best way to live. We believe that a government’s maximum role should be to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud so as to ensure liberty rather than grant it or take it from citizens. In other words, the Free State Project believes in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

What is important to YOU?

Progress

2004

New Hampshire continues its progress on the issue of gun rights. In January, 2004, the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill that would lift the requirement for a state license to carry a concealed firearm!

2006

Free-Stater David Ridley believes strongly in the importance of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, and the stronger and more clearly-worded New Hampshire Constitution. Dave was troubled by news reports that, in the wake of hurricane Katrina, various government agencies confiscated guns from law-abiding people -- at precisely the time when they needed most to defend themselves from looters.

Dave contacted several 2nd-Amendment groups in New Hampshire, and he engaged the legislature. Inspired by his lead, the New Hampshire Senate proposed SB 348: "prohibiting the taking of arms and ammunition in a declared state of emergency."

Separately, a bill was introduced (SB 318-FN) allowing "a person who is in any place where he or she has a right to be to use deadly force to protect oneself."

As you can imagine, both these bills generated much public debate. Free-Staters joined the New Hampshire natives in writing Letters to the Editor, testifying before the House and Senate, and contacting our Representatives and Senators.

In the end, both these bills passed the House and Senate.

The "Katrina bill" was signed into law by the Governor on May 15 2006.
Unfortunately, the "Deadly Force bill" was vetoed by Governor. Nevertheless, in New Hampshire you can still use deadly force to defend yourself or another person.

In a free state...

• Your 2nd Amendment rights mean something.
• You don’t have to ask permission to carry your firearm concealed or openly. No state issued permit will be necessary.
• You don’t have to get a background check for a private sale including at gun shows.
• You are free to possess any firearm of your choice, and any accessory of your choice.
• You are not required to pay a license fee, be fingerprinted, give a DNA sample, or be treated like a criminal – to get a permit for self defense.
• You can lawfully defend your property and family.
• You can teach your children about firearm safety at school and at home.
• Local jurisdictions will not participate in Federal fishing expeditions that seek to prosecute "technical violations" of arcane federal firearm regulations. The anti 2nd Amendment "Project Safe Neighborhoods" will be banned.
• Gun owners are innocent until proven guilty.
• No ammunition taxes, no licensing fees, and no sales tax means more money in your pocket.
• Your friends visiting from another state will enjoy the sensation of freedom too.
• State laws will never be more restrictive than Federal laws.
• Possession of clips, speed loaders, magazines, gun cases, and other paraphernalia will not itself be sufficient “probable cause” for a stop and search by police.
• Your firearms will not be seized unless a crime has been committed.
• There are no “bad guns”. Inanimate objects will not be prosecuted, nor will they be used to convict individuals exercising their inalienable rights.
• Law enforcement officers will not enjoy preference in court testimony.
• Juries will be fully informed of their right to judge the law and the prosecution, as well as the accused.