Why New Hampshire? » Law

Same Sex Unions

A Porcupine — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:33:52 +0000

New Hampshire was the first state to adopt same-sex union legislation without a challenge of existing law.

Additional Sources:

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070426/REPOSITORY/70426002/1030

Short List of “Prohibited Areas” for Gun Carry

A Porcupine — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:28:56 +0000

New Hampshire state law permits guns in any place except court rooms

Additional Sources:

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/NHSL.pdf

State Preemption Prevents Stricter Gun Laws

A Porcupine — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:07:07 +0000

New Hampshire has full state preemption, meaning no county or municipality may pass their own gun laws.

Additional Sources:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XII/159/159-26.htm

No Mandatory Seatbelt Law

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:42:34 +0000

New Hampshire is the only state in the United States that has no mandatory seatbelt laws for adults.

Additional Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/us/24seatbelt.html

Let those that ride decide

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:41:01 +0000

New Hampshire has no law mandating the use of helmets on motorcycles.

Additional Sources:

http://www.bikersrights.com/states/50state.html

Quick Legislative Turnover

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:50:07 +0000

In New Hampshire voters have the opportunity to completely overhaul the executive and legislative branches every other year as NH is one of only a handful of states to run elections on the biennial cycle.

Additional Sources:

Article 9, New Hampshire State Constitution

No Government Schooling Provisions

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:37:47 +0000

New Hampshire’s Constitution is one of the few in the nation that does not mandate the provision of a public school system.

Additional Sources:

http://www.nh.gov/constitution/constitution.html

Weak Governership

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:03:03 +0000

New Hampshire’s governorship is the weakest of all the states due to its unique, constitutionally mandated system of checks and balances against the power of the governor. The Executive Council holds the distinction of being the first and the last of its kind in the nation. It is a vestige of the Colonial era and a public reminder of the continuing indication of the basic distrust Granite State citizens have for dictatorial government.

Additional Source:

Article 60, New Hampshire State Constitution

Constitutional right to revolution

A Porcupine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:59:42 +0000

New Hampshire’s constitution is the only constitution in the world that expressly protects its citizens right to revolution.

Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

Additional Source:

Article 10, New Hampshire Constitution