Tomorrow, Monday, February 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear SB 17, “Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act,” a bill that is not about “stopping illegal gun trades,” but a direct attack on the equipment and freedom sportsmen and firearm owners rely on for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense.
Use the Take Action button to email the committee and urge them to vote “No” on SB 17. SB 17 misses the mark in its efforts to curb crime, instead it penalizes responsible citizens and local businesses rather than targeting criminals.
Governor’s “Public Safety” Agenda Targets Firearm Ownership
This year is a “short” 30-day legislative session. Typically, the “short” session is reserved for budget matters and items specifically authorized by the Governor. Public safety is one of the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s specific items. Unfortunately, that is coming in the form of SB 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act.”
The Impact of SB 17 on Sportsmen
As previously reported, if passed, on January 1, 2026, SB 17 bans the sale and transfer of commonly used semi-automatic rifles and shotguns by sportsmen and gun owners for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense by redefining these firearms as “extremely dangerous” weapons.
The bill does not stop there; it continues by attacking lawful federal firearm dealers by mandating video and security alarm systems approved by the Department of Justice, “site-hardening,” and adding more bureaucratic red tape to run their businesses.
SB 17 has already received a “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.
How to Testify and Watch the Judiciary Committee Hearing
The Judiciary committee hearing is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. in room 321. If you are unable to attend in person, you can still testify or watch the hearing online. Use the button below for online access instructions.
It is important that you share this critical action email with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen. Urge them to use the Take Action button to email the committee and ask them to OPPOSE SB 17. There has never been a more crucial time in sportsmen’s history than now to be involved and engaged in protecting our way of life.
If we remain silent, others will shape the outcome. We cannot allow that to happen in the Land of Enchantment. Urge your family and friends to join you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance in the fight against the rising tide of animal extremism and gun control activism. The legacy of hunting, fishing, and trapping depends on our actions today.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance guarantees hunting, fishing, and trapping for the American sportsman now and forever. We’re there when sportsmen need us most. We are the only organization specifically created to protect the individual hunter, angler, and trapper – no matter the threat. We will never compromise when it comes to defending our way of life in the courts, in the legislatures, in the public square, and at the ballot box. We make this promise to the American sportsman: we will never give up and never give in while proudly securing our future against those seeking to destroy our values, beliefs, and traditions. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
