New Mexico Legislative Alert

As you may or may not know, Governor Gary Johnson signed HB 277, NRA-backed Right To Carry legislation, into law this past week. This step made New Mexico the 33rd state which allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves in this responsible manner. Thanks to all of you who placed calls and emails into legislators` offices during the session -- without your support, this life-saving legislation would not have had a chance of passing. A special thanks also go out to Sen. Shannon Robinson (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell (R-Rio Rancho) who sponsored these measures in their respective chambers.

The Department of Public Safety will, in the coming months, begin writing rules and regulations for the implementation of this law, which NRA-ILA and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association will monitor closely. The effective date of the Act is July 1, 2001, although DPS is not authorized to begin issuing licenses until January 1, 2002. We will keep you informed as to how this progresses.

One of the provisions of the law requires DPS to develop provisions for local authorities to restrict the carrying of concealed handguns within their jurisdictions. As we said, we will closely monitor what rules DPS specifies for local action on this front and keep you updated on any constitutional challenges which arise to this "local option" portion of the law.

Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca has already publicly stated his opposition to the law and was quoted recently in the Albuquerque Journal as saying, "I am going to work very hard and get the City Council to ban concealed weapons in Albuquerque."

Make no mistake -- this threat affects you, whether or not you live in the City of Albuquerque. You may travel through or visit the city on occasion and spend your hard earned dollars there. You may move there one day or have friends or family who live there now. Law-abiding citizens who complete a handgun safety course, who pass a thorough records check, and who are issued a license to carry a handgun by the state should not be denied the right to protect themselves within the limits of a city run by a politician who is afraid to trust the people.

And if Albuquerque is successful in passing such a restriction, you can bet your city will be the next one to try it!

Please take the time to send an email to members of the Albuquerque City Council and let them know you support this new law and you oppose any effort to restrict future carry license holders within Albuquerque City limits. Arm yourself with the facts first by visiting www.nraila.org and getting a copy of our Right To Carry 2001 Fact Sheet.

You can then send an email directly to City Council members and Mayor Baca by visiting www.cabq.gov. Be sure to be courteous when sending such written communications -- remember, the facts and now the law are on our side!

Encourage your family, friends and fellow gun owners to email City Council members as well. Thank you for your support.