As noted in another thread, I was able to get the town of Chester to modify their signage at the Wason Pond recreational area to no longer prohibit the carrying of firearms within the area: http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/170079-Wason-Pond-Chester-NH-Guns-Allowed-(We-Win!)
The SNHU Arena in Manchester, formally the Verizon Wireless Arena, prohibits the possession of firearms and other "weapons" unless you're an "on-duty law enforcement officer". All others are disallowed. When I went their last year, I didn't think much of it. I thought it was a private enterprise and they can do what they wish.
I recently discovered that the SNHU Arena is actually owned by the City of Manchester according to the most recent tax assessment. A political subdivision within the state of New Hampshire.
RSA 159:26 allows only for the state of New Hampshire to regulate "sale, use, possession, etc." of firearms and knives. Not political subdivisions, like cities and towns.
I plan on drafting a letter addressed to the SNHU front office, Mayor Gatsas, and the city alderman/aldermen.
Any thoughts? I'll post my letter to this thread for everyone's review once it's done. I figure this is a good first step and might be just as effective as with Chester/Wason Pond.
Here's my draft:
The SNHU Arena in Manchester, formally the Verizon Wireless Arena, prohibits the possession of firearms and other "weapons" unless you're an "on-duty law enforcement officer". All others are disallowed. When I went their last year, I didn't think much of it. I thought it was a private enterprise and they can do what they wish.
I recently discovered that the SNHU Arena is actually owned by the City of Manchester according to the most recent tax assessment. A political subdivision within the state of New Hampshire.
RSA 159:26 allows only for the state of New Hampshire to regulate "sale, use, possession, etc." of firearms and knives. Not political subdivisions, like cities and towns.
I plan on drafting a letter addressed to the SNHU front office, Mayor Gatsas, and the city alderman/aldermen.
Any thoughts? I'll post my letter to this thread for everyone's review once it's done. I figure this is a good first step and might be just as effective as with Chester/Wason Pond.
Here's my draft:
Dear SNHU Arena Manager:
It has come to my attention the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Arena, formally the Verizon Wireless Arena, in Manchester, New Hampshire explicitly states that firearms are prohibited from entry into the site, unless carried by an on-duty law enforcement officer. According to the SNHU website:
"...the following items are not permitted inside the SNHU Arena: Weapons of any kind to include, but not limited to, knives, guns, chains or clubs. No off duty law enforcement personnel are allowed in to the arena with a firearm and/or weapon of any kind"
According to the most recent tax assessment on the Vision Appraisal website, the SNHU Arena, located at 555 Elm Street, is currently owned by the City of Manchester, New Hampshire. The Vision Appraisal website notes that the applicable Hillsborough County book/page: 6225/ 934 with a recorded sale date of 4/4/2000 .
New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 159:26 establishes state preemption over New Hampshire firearm laws and renders all municipal ordinances and regulations null and void . Emphasis added:
“I. To the extent consistent with federal law, the state of New Hampshire shall have authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, or knives in the state. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting a political subdivision's right to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of regulating firearms or knives businesses in the same manner as other businesses or to take any action allowed under RSA 207:59.
II. Upon the effective date of this section, all municipal ordinances and regulations not authorized under paragraph I relative to the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearm components, ammunition, firearms supplies, or knives shall be null and void.”
Provided that Manchester, New Hampshire is a “political subdivision” within the state of New Hampshire, the prohibition of carry of firearms and knives is a direct violation of this RSA. My humble suggestion is to modify all digital and physical signage, both physical and on the website, and to adopt new security policies and protocols that fully conform to RSA 159:26.
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