Senate Bill 26, the NRA- and NMSSA-backed legislation sponsored by state Senator Bill Payne (R-ABQ), would repeal Section 30-7-9 of the New Mexico Criminal Code, was referred to both the state House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and the state House Judiciary Committee this week. This section of state law limits the purchase of rifles and shotguns by New Mexico residents to their home state and contiguous states. Repeal of this law would eliminate this restrictive language and would enable residents of New Mexico to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in New Mexico. SB 26 will be considered by the first committee TOMORROW at 8:30 am in Room 315 in the State Capitol. Please call AND e-mail members of the state House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and urge them to support SB 26! Committee member contact information can be found here.
Also this week, the state House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee gave a unanimous "do pass" recommendation to House Bill 67 by state Representative Jimmie Hall (R-ABQ). This bill would codify what the New Mexico Department of Public Safety(NM DPS) is already doing administratively - conducting the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks on all applicants for original and renewal concealed handgun licenses. According to inquiries by the NRA and the NM DPS, this codification is necessary in order for New Mexico concealed handgun licensees to possibly qualify for an exemption by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) from the NICS check requirement when purchasing a firearm from a federally-licensed dealer. This bill now moves to the state House Judiciary Committee for consideration. Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support HB 67! Their contact information can be found here.
Finally, the state House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee also gave a "do pass" recommendation with just one dissenting vote to House Bill 206, introduced by state Representative Zach Cook (R-Ruidoso), would override an administrative rule which bans the carrying of loaded handguns by license holders in state parks. Unfortunately, this measure received three House committee referrals, which lessens its prospects during New Mexico’s short thirty-day legislative session. However, the NRA will keep pressing on this issue in hopes of building future support for an administrative or legislative fix. This measure moves to the state House Health and Government Affairs Committee for its consideration next. Please contact these committee members and ask them to support HB 206. Their contact information can be found here.
Thank you for all your telephone calls and e-mails - they are making a positive difference!
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