FAIRFAX, VA - On behalf of the National Rifle Association (NRA), I would like to thank Governor Bill Richardson for signing Senate Bill 23 into law, making New Mexico the 34th state in the Union to grant law-abiding citizens the right to carry firearms for personal protection and for protection of their loved ones. Governor Richardson`s active support for this important legislation was helpful in passage of this measure. We would also like to recognize the dedication and hard work of the bills` sponsors, Senator Shannon Robinson and Representative John Heaton. Their efforts made it possible for Right-to-Carry to become law in New Mexico. And, as always, the grassroots efforts and political activism by tens of thousands of NRA members across the state played a pivotal role in this process. There was overwhelming bipartisan support in the New Mexico legislature for uniform Right-to-Carry legislation after the state Supreme Court struck down an unconstitutional law that allowed localities to prohibit the right to carry within city limits. Senate Bill 23 does not contain a "local option" provision, granting all law-abiding citizens who qualify the right to protect themselves and their loved ones regardless of location within the state. --nra--