Last week, New Mexico’s 2024 30-day legislative session adjourned sine die. This means the regular legislative session is completed for the year. Below is the status of the bills that were of concern to sportsmen introduced in this short session.
Senate Joint Resolution 12 would have placed an amendment on the ballot to repeal New Mexico’s firearm preemption law. This important law prohibits municipalities and counties from passing ordinances and regulations more restrictive than state law. Defeated – introduced and never received a committee hearing.
Senate Bill 90, the “Firearm and Ammunition Tax Act” would have imposed an 11% excise tax on firearms dealers derived from the sales of firearms and ammunition in the state. The monies generated from the tax would have been split between the Crime Victims Reparation Fund and the newly formed Family Representation and Advocacy Funds. Defeated – introduced and never received a committee hearing.
Senate Bill 69 would have imposed an arbitrary 14-business day waiting period on when a sportsman can take possession of their firearm and makes this delay longer or indefinite if authorities fail to complete a background check during that time. Defeated – reported out of Senate committee and did not receive a vote on the Senate floor.
House Bill 114 would have instituted new vague laws and restrictions on the already heavily regulated firearms industry. It would have also authorized the Attorney General or a district attorney to sue a member of the firearm industry by alleging violations and even potential violations of these laws to the extreme of allowing persons “likely to be harmed” to request equitable relief from a court. Defeated – reported out of House committee and did not receive a vote on the House floor.
House Bill 127 would have prohibited sportsmen under the age of 21 from purchasing or possessing any semi-automatic firearm, or any standard capacity magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, with limited exceptions. The bill also would have prohibited the sale or transfer of ownership of these firearms or magazines to anyone under 21. Defeated – reported out of House committee and did not receive a vote on the House floor.
House Bill 129 imposes an arbitrary 7-business day waiting period on when a sportsman can take possession of their firearm and makes this delay longer or indefinite if authorities fail to complete a background check during that time. HB 129 passed the House by a vote of 37 to 33, passed the Senate by a vote of 23 to 18, and has been sent to Governor Grisham for her expected signature.
Even though the 2024 legislative session is over, the Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor activities in the Land of Enchantment as you never know when issues that sportsmen need to be aware of may arise.
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 possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.