The New Mexico House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 306, which would prevent felons from purchasing firearms through a loophole; the bill passed with bipartisan support.
“New Mexicans have sent a clear mandate to lawmakers that we must take crime seriously, and we must get tough on criminals, including those who aid and abet criminals in gaining illegal access to firearms,” lead sponsor House Republican Leader T. Ryan Lane (R-Aztec) said, according to The Grant County Beat. “This measure is one step to ensure that felons are prevented from gaining illegal access to firearms, while providing local law enforcement with an additional tool to prosecute and keep felons off the streets. Republicans take the Second Amendment very seriously, and this commonsense measure will ensure that law-abiding firearm owners’ rights are not infringed upon and will help prevent felons from accessing illegal firearms.”
Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers came together to sponsor this bill that they feel is important to the citizens of New Mexico who are concerned about gun violence and safety.
Cosponsor Rep. Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino) said, "Firearms falling into the hands of dangerous people enables violent crime. We can save lives and make New Mexico safer by making sure people who should not have guns in the first place cannot get them.”
House Bill 306 is sponsored by Lane, Lara, Rep. Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis) and Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Albuquerque). It was passed with a vote of 62-3. This law would make it a fourth-degree felony to knowingly purchase a firearm for another person who can’t legally have a firearm.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, New Mexico has been struggling with an ever-increasing rate of gun violence, currently ranking 12th highest in the U.S. The number of people affected by this epidemic is staggering: On average, 433 people lose their lives and another 618 suffer injuries from firearms each year in New Mexico alone.
Not only has the problem persisted, but it has also worsened over time. Between 2011 and 2020, the rate of gun-related fatalities in New Mexico surged by 53%, a significantly higher increase compared to the national average of 33%. The state's escalating rate of gun violence is a cause for concern, prompting citizens and lawmakers to consider implementing stronger measures to reduce the risk for New Mexico residents.
While federal laws already exist to prevent straw purchasing (the use of a proxy buyer in order to avoid a background check), this new legislation will enable New Mexico to enforce the state-level penalties for such activities. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen gun control measures and ensure the safety and security of New Mexican citizens.