State Senator Anthony "Ant" Thornton, representing New Mexico's Senate District 19, announced that Senate Bill 279, which addresses gas-operated semiautomatic firearms, has been presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee twice this week. He noted that a committee substitute bill was introduced and subsequently withdrawn, or "an amendment was introduced," as said in a post on X on March 6.

"Senate Bill 279 has come before the Judiciary Committee twice this week," said Thornton. "Each time the sponsors have presented, either a committee substitute bill was introduced (which they withdrew after I pointed out how unconstitutional it was) or an amendment was introduced to the existing bill which got delayed last night and will be reviewed once again on Friday, March 7, 2025. These folks really don't understand guns or gun owners. It's clear, all these radical Progressives really want to do is remove guns from our society."

According to the details of the proposed legislation, State Senators Heather Berghmans and Micaelita Debbie O’Malley, along with Representatives Charlotte Little, Andrea Romero, and Patricia Roybal Caballero, sponsored the Gas-Operated Semiauto Firearms Exclusion Act (SB 279). If enacted, the bill would prohibit various activities related to gas-operated semiautomatic firearms. It also includes provisions for banning devices that increase a firearm's rate of fire or simulate the action or rate of fire of a machine gun. The New Mexico Attorney General would be tasked with maintaining a list of affected firearms. Notably, the bill exempts firearms lawfully manufactured before July 1, 2025, and transferred and certified before January 1, 2026.

Screenshot of State Senator Ant Thornton's March 6 Post on X | X

On February 7, Anthony Segura, Executive Director of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association (NMSSA), expressed opposition to the bill in an interview with the New Mexico Sun. Segura argued that it could limit access to commonly owned firearms and negatively impact law-abiding citizens. He suggested that addressing mental health issues and improving enforcement of existing laws would be more effective measures.

Thornton further commented on Senate Bill 279 in another post on X. He said that radical progressives aim to remove guns from society but will not succeed because "the Second Amendment and guns are on the side of the people."

Anthony "Ant" Thornton is a Republican aerospace engineer from Bernalillo County who was elected in 2024 to represent Senate District 19 after Dr. Gregg Schmedes. His campaign emphasized technological innovation and economic diversification. Thornton has been acknowledged for his contributions to both the aerospace industry and community service.