New Mexico State Legislature Adjourns Sine Die!

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die at noon Saturday, March 17. 

Late last Friday, the Senate gave final approval to House Bill 588 by State Representative John Heaton (D-Carlsbad), the NRA-backed bill allowing Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves in establishments that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption.  Special thanks to State Representative Heaton and State Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales), State Senator William Sharer (R-Farmington) and State Senator Steven Neville (R-Aztec), who carried Senate versions of the same measure.  HB 588 now heads to Governor Bill Richardson (D) for his signature. 

Also, NRA-ILA and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association were successful in securing just over $1 million in additional capital outlay funding for improvements to Albuquerque's Shooting Range State Park, which will host NRA's National Police Shooting Championships for the second year in a row, this coming fall.  We will soon send out a list of legislators who contributed portions of their capital outlay to this project so that you may thank the members of the ABQ delegation who participated in the effort. 

Finally, Senate Bill 39, NRA-supported "Castle Doctrine" self-defense legislation sponsored by State Senator Shannon Robinson (D-Albuquerque) passed the Senate and two House Committees, but failed to be considered by the full House for final approval because of procedural maneuvers played by two key committee chairs who opposed the measure in the days leading up to adjournment.  A list of legislators who played key roles in support of and in opposition to this measure will also be sent to you soon. 

Thanks to all of you who contacted your state lawmakers in support of NRA-ILA and NMSSA's proactive legislation this session.

To find further contact information or help identifying your legislators
please use the "Write Your Representative" feature found at www.NRAILA.org.