New Mexico: Legislature Adjourns Sine Die – No Gun Control Passed

As we reported in our previous alerts, anti-gun state Representative Miguel Garcia (D-Bernalillo) had pre-filed House Bill 44, legislation criminalizing non-dealer firearm transfers at gun shows that takes the first step toward a “universal” ban on private gun sales.  Anti-gun activists and state lawmakers pressed for consideration of HB 44 throughout the thirty-day session -- even though the state Legislature is constitutionally limited to dealing with budget-related items or measures in even-numbered years.  Governor Susana Martinez did not grant the legislation an executive message, which would have made it eligible for consideration this year.  Thank you for all your phone calls and e-mails in opposition to HB 44 during this legislative session -- they truly made an impression on state lawmakers even though the issue never received a vote in the state House or Senate.

House and Senate resolutions do not need executive messages in fiscal sessions, so gun control advocates pushed their supporters in the state Legislature to introduce rules changes that would have banned the possession of firearms in most areas of the Roundhouse.  The House Judiciary Committee narrowly approved House Resolution 3, sponsored by state Representative Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe), by a 9-8 party-line vote after exempting concealed handgun licensees from the prohibition.  That sent the measure to the House Rules Committee, where it failed to receive further consideration before time expired in the 2014 session.  The Senate Rules Committee tabled a similar resolution, Senate Resolution 3 by state Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), by a 4-2 vote.

The critical 2014 elections for statewide office and seats in the state House of Representatives will determine the future of your Second Amendment rights in the Land of Enchantment.   Your NRA Political Victory Fund will be actively involved in these important races and will communicate to you the positions of candidates on issues of importance to gun owners and sportsmen - so stay tuned!