NMSSA Legislative Alert January 26, 2022
There are two legislative updates New Mexico gun owners need to be aware of and act on now. First, HB9, the mandatory storage bill was added to tomorrow’s House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee schedule at the last minute. The bill would impose fines and criminal penalties on a gun owner whose firearm is accessed by a minor without the owner’s consent. There are no exemptions for storing a firearm in a safe or by lock. Even if you are careful about how you store your firearms, you could still be charged with a crime in the bill. Further, anyone who is the parent of a child can attempt to enforce a $1,000 court fine for a minor accessing your firearms. We do not believe the bill has any public safety benefit, and our position to to OPPOSE the bill. Here is the link to testify before the committee tomorrow. The committee meeting will start at 1:30pm, and HB9 is the last bill on the agenda.
Second, today HB156 was filed today. It would make it a felony to posses a firearm magazine in New Mexico that holds more than 15 rounds. The bill’s author, Representative Caballero, added in an appropriation for the enforcement of the proposed law so the bill wouldn’t have to be called upon by the governor. That bill is also in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
Both HB9 and HB156 are in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, below is the contact information for the members of that committee. We urge you to reach out to the committee members and ask them to OPPOSE both bills.
Joanne Ferrary (D) joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4844
Andrea Romero (D)  andrea@andrearomero.com (email listed on the legislature website) (505) 986-4243
Liz Thompson (D) liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4425
Stefani Lord (R) stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4453
Randall Pettigrew (R) randall.pettigrew@nmlegis.gov (505) 986-4467
Zac Fort
President
NMSSA
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