This bill introduces a new exception to the offense of criminal threatening, specifically addressing situations where an individual responds to a person criminally trespassing. The amended language in RSA 631:4, IV states that a person who displays a firearm or other means of self-defense in response to a criminal trespasser, with the intent to warn them away, shall not be deemed to have committed a criminal act. The bill clarifies that this exception applies when the actions taken are likely to cause property damage, serious bodily injury, or death, as perceived by a reasonable person.

In addition to the new insertions, the bill also modifies existing language by removing references to threats that do not pertain to criminal trespassing. The effective date for this act is set for January 1, 2027. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole for the state and local governments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:4
HB1244 text: 631:4