The proposed bill mandates that all commercial firearm sales or transfers in New Hampshire be conducted through a licensed firearms dealer, who is responsible for performing a criminal background check and maintaining a record of each sale. This requirement is intended to prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, such as felons, domestic abusers, and those adjudicated mentally ill, from obtaining them. The bill specifically excludes private, noncommercial sales or transfers between individuals, as long as neither party is legally barred from owning or possessing firearms.

The bill outlines the process for completing a commercial firearm sale through a licensed dealer, including the delivery of the firearm to the dealer, the performance of a background check, and the legal transfer of the firearm to the buyer. It also establishes penalties for violations, with a first offense being a class B misdemeanor and subsequent offenses being class A misdemeanors. Local law enforcement is required to report any violations by licensed firearms dealers to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The bill does not allow for the creation of a firearm registry by state or local law enforcement. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminate, and it is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. There are no insertions or deletions indicated in the provided text regarding the fiscal note.