New Hampshire has recently made headlines with its new statute allowing employees to bring firearms to work in certain circumstances, which became effective on January 1, 2025. The law, signed by Governor Chris Sununu, allows employees who have concealed carry permits to bring their firearms to work as long as the firearms are secured and stored out-of-sight in employees’ locked vehicles on company property. Note that the law does not require employers to allow guns in the workplace itself; however, it does extend protections to employees who wish to keep their firearms in their personal cars during working hours.
Key Provisions of the Law
- Right to Keep Firearms in Vehicles: The law allows employees with valid concealed carry permits to store their firearms out-of-sight in their locked personal vehicles, even if their employer has a general policy prohibiting firearms on the company’s premises. Additionally, employers cannot require an employee to disclose whether they are storing a firearm or ammunition in their vehicle.
- Employer Exceptions: The law also clarifies that certain businesses with specific restrictions against firearms on their premises, such as gun-free zones, are not required to alter their policies to accommodate employees who want to bring their guns to work. Additionally, all covered employers still have the right to prohibit employees from carrying firearms in areas other than their vehicles, including in the workplace itself.
- Civil Liability: The law provides that an employer may not be held liable in any civil action for any damages for any economic loss, injury, or death resulting from or arising out of another person’s actions involving a firearm or ammunition stored pursuant to this statute.
What Does This Mean for Employers?
The law brings challenges and responsibilities for employers. Employers who are hesitant about firearms in the workplace will need to carefully assess their policies to ensure compliance with the new law and previously existing laws. For example, the federal Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act’s general duty clause requires employers to protect employees from foreseeable hazards, including incidents of workplace violence. Employers will need to think carefully about how they handle situations where employees store firearms in their vehicles, such as implementing additional security measures to ensure the safety of workers, property, and other visitors.
The introduction of the Guns at Work law is likely to have a mixed impact on workplace culture. In some industries, particularly those where employees work late hours or in remote locations, some workers may feel more secure with firearms nearby. For others, the presence of guns — even if only stored in locked vehicles — could lead to discomfort or fear among staff.
Conclusion
New Hampshire’s new Guns at Work law is a significant step in the state’s evolving gun culture, and it reflects a larger trend of expanding Second Amendment rights in the workplace. With specific provisions aimed at respecting personal rights, this law sets the stage for future debates on the role of firearms in the workplace and how best to balance security, safety, and individual rights.