Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer said that Democrats rejected all Republican efforts to strengthen a crime bill and improve public safety. This statement was made in a press release on February 21.
"House Bill 8 is a small step forward in terms of improving public safety," said William Sharer, New Mexico State Senator. "I am disappointed, though certainly not surprised, that Democrats voted to kill each and every attempt Republicans made to improve this package. Somehow New Mexico is supposed to believe they are ‘addressing crime?"
According to the press release, Senate Republicans proposed amendments to House Bill 8 aimed at enhancing public safety measures. These amendments included preventing violent criminals from pretrial release, penalizing property owners who enable crime, expanding definitions of ‘serious youthful offender,’ increasing penalties for felons with stolen firearms, and criminalizing ‘Swatting.’ Sharer noted that Senate Democrats rejected all amendments despite bipartisan and law enforcement support.
SafeHome reports that New Mexico has the highest violent crime rate in the United States, with 781 incidents per 100,000 people, more than double the national average. The state also has the third-highest property crime rate at 2,984 per 100,000. It ranks second for homicide and aggravated assault and fourth for robbery and auto theft. Gallup reportedly has the highest violent crime rate in New Mexico, while the state's burglary rate is the nation's highest.
Juvenile gun crime increased by 57% from 2022 to 2023 but saw a decline of 37.5% in 2024 following an education campaign and a Public Health Order mandating detention for juveniles accused of gun crimes. While overall juvenile crime rates are declining, juvenile murder and auto theft have risen since 2019, according to KOB 4.
Sharer's website indicates he is a former U.S. Army officer and business owner who has represented Farmington in the New Mexico State Senate since 2000. He is a graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University (NMSU).
