BELLEVUE, Wash. — Oct. 16, 2025 — The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has filed a new lawsuit in New Hampshire challenging the unconstitutional search of an 18-year-old high school senior’s vehicle, based solely on the knowledge that he is a legal gun owner.
The case, Harrington v. Crawford, stems from the search of Hillsboro-Deering High School student Jack Harrington’s vehicle while it was parked on school grounds. Harrington lawfully owns a handgun and sometimes kept his firearm in his truck – in full compliance with all federal and state laws – but always removed the gun from his vehicle before going to school.
When school authorities became aware of Harrington’s gun ownership, he was subjected to aggressive interrogation by district employees which culminated in his vehicle being searched without consent. The school had no reason to believe Harrington brought his firearm to school, and no firearm was found during the invasive and unconstitutional search.
“Being public about exercising your private rights cannot be grounds for being harassed and searched on campus,” said SAF Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. “The apparent position of the school district here is ‘choose to exercise one right, give away another.’ That’s just not how it works. If simply being a gun owner is legal justification to be harassed and searched by authorities, what would stop them from submitting gun owners like Jack to searches every day? And what’s their proposed solution to avoid that abuse, that he sells his privately owned firearm?”
As noted in the complaint, “…after the Interrogation in which Jack repeatedly refused to consent to a search and after Jack’s parents were contacted by phone and similarly refused to consent to a search, Defendants searched the Subject Vehicle anyway, finding no firearm.”
“This is the type of fearmongering response we’d expect elsewhere around the country, but not in a state that allows its adult residents to legally own and possess firearms,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “This case is about as cut and dry as it gets when it comes to infringing on the rights of a citizen, and we look forward to vindicating Jack’s rights in court.”
For more information visit SAF.org.
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15 Comments
The aggressive questioning and search seem like an overreaction. Let’s hope the courts agree.
Unfortunately, this type of overreach happens far too often. It’s important to challenge these aggressive tactics in court.
Schools should be places of learning, not places where constitutional rights are violated without cause.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between protecting students and respecting constitutional rights. It’s concerning that a student’s legal gun ownership alone could justify such intrusive searches.
The school’s actions seem heavy-handed. If there were no signs the firearm was on campus, what justifies the search?
Hopefully, this case will remind schools that constitutional rights don’t stop at the school gates.
The fact that no firearm was found makes the search even more unreasonable. What was the point?
I’m curious how the courts will rule on this. It’s a important test of Fourth Amendment protections.
I wonder if this case will set a precedent for similar situations across the country. It’s a crucial issue for gun owners’ rights.
It’s alarming that mere knowledge of a student’s gun ownership led to this invasive search. Due process matters.
As a New Hampshire resident, I’m glad to see SAF standing up for this student’s rights. Schools should focus on education, not violating constitutional protections.
This case is a prime example of how schools sometimes disregard students’ rights in the name of safety.
This is a critical case for gun owners and civil liberties. The outcome could impact future school policies.
This lawsuit is long overdue. No student should be treated like this for legally owning a firearm.
The school’s behavior sounds like an overreach. Where’s the line between safety and constitutional rights?