WAITING PERIOD FOR FIREARM SALES
House Bill 129 would require all buyers in New Mexico to wait 14 business days to get their weapons. It would be the longest waiting period in the nation.
Democratic Rep. Andrea Romero says it’s meant to serve as a cooling off period to allow time for federally-required background checks to be completed.
“That’s what we’re closing, with the current loophole that if you did not have a verified background check in the state of New Mexico currently, a federally licensed dealer could just hand over that firearm without that background check, and that creates a potentially very dangerous situation,” Romero said.
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
House Bill 137 would ban gas-operated semiautomatic guns. It focuses on the inner mechanisms of a weapon – not how it looks.
It mimics a federal bill U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has introduced. The bill also prohibits detachable magazine holding more than 10 bullets – bump stocks – and other attachments.
There are exceptions. People who already own this type of gun will be grandfathered in, but they would be added to a registry overseen by the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Rep. Romero introduced a similar bill last year, but there are major changes this time.
RAISING THE MINIMUM PURCHASE AGE TO 21
House Bill 127 would raise the age to legally purchase a semi or fully-automatic firearm to 21.
People who are 18 would still be able to purchase revolvers or bolt action rifles, for example. There are a few exceptions for this bill – that includes .22 caliber rifles – and if the 18- to 20-year-old works for law enforcement.
The bill also makes an exception for shooting competitions and hunting.
