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Rochester Today
By the People, for the People
State Rep. Leads Armed Protest Against College Gun Ban
Farrington and supporters disrupt Durham Town Council meeting over campus carry bill
Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:39pm
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The armed protest at a Durham town meeting underscores the ongoing political clash over gun rights and campus security.Rochester TodayNew Hampshire state Rep. Sam Farrington, R-Rochester, and about a dozen armed supporters disrupted a Durham Town Council meeting on March 2 to protest the council's resolution against Farrington's campus carry bill, which would prohibit public colleges and universities from regulating firearms on their campuses.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing debate over gun rights and campus safety, with proponents of campus carry arguing it protects individual liberties while opponents warn it could endanger students and faculty. The confrontation also raises questions about the appropriate use of firearms in civic settings.
The details
Farrington and his supporters, who were all legally carrying firearms, entered the Durham Town Council meeting to voice their opposition to the council's resolution against Farrington's campus carry bill. Farrington accused the council of being "tyrants" for "stripping lawful adults of their individual rights." The meeting was temporarily suspended due to the armed protest.
- The incident occurred on March 2, 2026 during a Durham Town Council meeting.
- Farrington introduced the campus carry bill in the New Hampshire legislature earlier this year.
The players
Sam Farrington
A New Hampshire state representative from Rochester who introduced a campus carry bill that would prohibit public colleges and universities from regulating firearms on their campuses.
Durham Town Council
The town council in Durham, New Hampshire that passed a resolution opposing Farrington's campus carry bill.
What they’re saying
“You are tyrants because you are stripping lawful adults of their individual rights.”
— Sam Farrington, State Representative
What’s next
The Durham Town Council is expected to discuss the incident and potential security measures at its next meeting. Farrington's campus carry bill will continue to be debated in the New Hampshire legislature.
The takeaway
This confrontation highlights the deep divisions over gun rights and campus safety, with both sides accusing the other of infringing on individual liberties. The incident raises concerns about the appropriate use of firearms in civic settings and the need for constructive dialogue on these complex issues.