The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association (NMSSA) has expressed its opposition to Senate Bill 279, arguing that the proposed legislation threatens the rights of law-abiding gun owners by restricting commonly used firearms. This announcement was made via a press release on January 5.

According to the New Mexico Legislature, Senate Bill 279, titled the "Gas-Operated Semiauto Firearms Exclusion Act," was introduced in the New Mexico Senate on February 4, 2025. The bill's sponsors include Senators Micaelita Debbie O'Malley, Heather Berghmans, Andrea Romero, Charlotte Little, and Patricia Roybal Caballero. It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

A study conducted by Pew Research Center in 2017 found that 30% of American adults personally own a firearm, while an additional 11% live in a household with a gun owner. Among these gun owners, protection was cited as a major reason for ownership by 67%, followed by hunting at 38% and sport shooting at 30%.

The NMSSA, established in 1935, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Second Amendment rights in New Mexico. As the state's official National Rifle Association (NRA) affiliate, NMSSA provides educational programs, competitive events, and advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting responsible firearm ownership and marksmanship. According to their website, members of the association come from diverse backgrounds but share a commitment to preserving and protecting the right to keep and bear arms in New Mexico.