FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Legislation that would curb illegal gun trafficking statewide and ban the sale of firearms capable of mass casualties passed the New Mexico Senate on Saturday, clearing the way for House consideration during the second half of the 30-day session. 

Sponsored by Senators Heather Berghmans and Micaelita Debbie O’Malley and Representatives Andrea Romero, Charlotte Little and Patricia Roybal Caballero, Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,” ranks among Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s top public safety priorities for her final year in office.  

Currently, New Mexico has some of the nation’s weakest gun dealer regulations, lacking a state-level requirement that vendors secure their inventory, track suspicious sales or identify straw purchasing. SB 17 would fix these regulatory omissions by requiring gun dealers to adopt reasonable inventory and training practices that will help close the retail-to-criminal pipeline that puts guns into dangerous hands. 

SB 17 would also prohibit the sale or transfer of firearms in New Mexico that are specified as “extremely dangerous,” including .50 caliber rifles and cartridges, certain gas operated semiautomatic firearms, and machine guns, as well as detachable magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Certain low-caliber rimfire firearms, antique firearms, manually operated firearms, specified fixed-magazine firearms and transfers to law enforcement agencies, military entities, Indian nations and federally licensed dealers and manufacturers would be exempted under SB 17. 

“New Mexicans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and that means keeping guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “This bill holds gun dealers to the same basic standards expected of any responsible business—securing inventory, training employees, and preventing illegal sales. This is common-sense legislation that will save lives and make our state a better place to raise a family.”

“I’m grateful for the Senate’s vote today and I encourage the House to follow suit at the earliest opportunity,” the governor added. 

SB 17 is part of a broader package of public safety bills that Lujan Grisham is urging lawmakers to approve during the 30-day session. The governor’s ongoing — now years-long — push to strengthen New Mexico’s public safety laws is partially in response to an epidemic of gun violence and crime in the state.  

Statistics reveal the extent of the problem in New Mexico: 

·         More than 500 New Mexicans are killed by gun violence each year 

·         New Mexico has the fifth-highest rate of gun homicides in the nation 

·         Gun homicides in New Mexico have more than doubled since 2015 

·         77% of crime guns traced in New Mexico were originally purchased in-state 

“New Mexico has a serious problem with violent crime and guns, and SB 17 will take meaningful steps to address it,” Lujan Grisham said. “I urge my fellow New Mexicans to contact members of the House of Representatives and ask them to support this bill.”