On Saturday, March 18, the New Mexico legislature adjourned sine die, which means the legislative session is completed and not returning.
The following anti-sportsmen bills were defeated:
Senate Bill 429 prohibits the tethering of dogs for all hunting, trialing, and training. The bill was amended to exempt “dog sports” and “public events such as picnics, adoption fairs and group training classes,” but it is entirely unclear if these new exemptions will be applied for hunters utilizing dogs during hunting, field trials, and training.
House Bill 100 adds a mandatory 14-day waiting period on all firearm purchases.
House Bill 101 bans the manufacture, sale, purchase and possession of firearms and magazines that sportsmen commonly own for hunting, self-defense, competition, and recreation.
Senate Bill 116 prohibits the sale and possession of semiautomatic firearms for adults aged 18-20 years old.
Senate Bill 427 imposes a mandatory 14-day waiting period on all firearm purchases with an exception for concealed handgun licensees.
Senate Bill 428 would cripple the firearm industry by instituting new policies and procedures that will make it nearly impossible to engage in the lawful sale and/or trade of firearms in the state.
One gun control bill did pass and has already been signed by the Governor:
House Bill 9 creates a fourth-degree felony penalty for a person who keeps or stores a firearm in a manner that negligently disregards a minor’s ability to access that firearm and the minor accesses that firearm and uses it in a manner that causes great bodily harm to, or death of the minor or another person.
Even though the 2023 legislative session is over, the Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor activities in New Mexico as you never know when issues that sportsmen need to be aware of.
As always, you can check www.sportsmensalliance.org and follow us on social media for breaking updates. Sportsmen throughout the Land of Enchantment must stay actively involved to defend our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. Working together, we cannot lose!
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
