Mark Doyon v. Hooksett Police Department

Police Chief has Discretion to Determine who is a Suitable Person to be Issued a Pistol Permit
No. 2013-0360
Friday, May 16, 2014

In an unpublished opinion by the NH Supreme Court dated May 16, 2014, the Court reaffirmed that a Police Chief is vested with the discretion to determine whether someone is a ‘suitable person’ to be issued a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver.  In Mark Doyon v. Hooksett Police Department, Case No. 2013-0360 the Court rejected the argument of Doyon that language in a form published by the NH Department of Safety meant that if a pistol carry permit applicant was not prohibited from possession of a firearm under federal and state law he was deemed a suitable person under RSA 159:6.  The Court agreed with the determination of the Hooksett Police Chief and the Hooksett District Division that Doyon was not a suitable person due to a prior criminal threatening conviction, an arrest for domestic violence and conviction for reckless operation of a motorcycle.