HOUSE REPUBLICANS NEWS RELEASE
New Mexico House Republicans strongly condemn the Senate’s passage of SB17, a sweeping and unconstitutional gun control bill that directly attacks the rights of law-abiding citizens, harms small businesses, and does nothing to address violent crime.
SB17 bans multiple types of commonly owned firearms, targets federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs), and places heavy new regulatory burdens on small businesses across the state. The bill also creates a de facto state gun registry, raising serious privacy and constitutional concerns for responsible gun owners.
“Senate Bill 17 is an attack on the Second Amendment and on the law-abiding New Mexicans who follow the rules. This bill punishes responsible citizens and small business owners while doing nothing to stop criminals who ignore the law.” – House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong
The legislation imposes costly compliance requirements on FFLs that many small, locally owned gun shops will struggle to meet, threatening jobs and economic activity in communities across New Mexico.
“SB 17 puts local gun dealers in the crosshairs and risks driving them out of business. These are family-owned small businesses that serve their communities responsibly. Democrats are willing to sacrifice them to push a political agenda.” – House Republican Whip Alan Martinez
Senate Democrats are knowingly inviting years of costly litigation and forcing taxpayers to pay for a bill that ignores clear constitutional limits.
“This legislation ignores clear constitutional precedent and puts New Mexico on a dangerous legal path. Taxpayers will ultimately be forced to pay the price for this reckless decision.” – House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong
As the bill moves to the House, Republicans pledge to oppose SB 17 at every stage of the process.
“We will fight this bill in committee, on the House floor, and in the public square. New Mexicans deserve real public safety solutions that target violent criminals, not laws that strip away freedoms and hurt local businesses and law-abiding citizens.” – House Republican Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow
House Republicans remain committed to protecting constitutional rights, supporting small businesses, and advancing policies that make communities safer without sacrificing liberty.