Bill > HB1240

This bill modifies the criminal threatening statute to expand the definition of using a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense. Specifically, the bill amends the existing law to include situations where the weapon used appears to be a deadly weapon to the victim, even if it is not actually a deadly weapon. Under the current law, criminal threatening involves making threats with an actual deadly weapon (as defined in RSA 625:11, V), but this bill broadens the scope to include scenarios where the victim reasonably perceives the object as a deadly weapon. By doing so, the bill creates a more comprehensive legal framework that accounts for the psychological impact of threatening behavior, potentially allowing prosecution in cases where a threat is made with an object that looks like a weapon but may not legally qualify as one. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and was requested by county attorneys, suggesting it is intended to close a potential legal loophole and provide additional protection for victims of threatening behavior.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2308&inflect=2