New Mexico: Waiting Period and Firearms Industry Lawsuit Bills on Deck Again in Senate Committee on Wednesday!

House Bill 101 (Semi-Auto Ban & Magazine Limit Bill NOT on House Judiciary Committee Agenda for Wednesday)

On Wednesday, March 8, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold public hearings on two extreme measures that target law-abiding citizens and the firearms industry:

Senate Bill 427 by Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), imposes a 14-day waiting period on all firearm purchases, with an exception for concealed handgun licensees. Like House Bill 100, this measure will add nothing to the existing FBI background check process and will only delay your ability to exercise your Second Amendment right to defend yourself, your family and your property. This would make for the longest firearms purchase waiting period in the entire country!  For more information on this proposal, click here.

Senate Bill 428 by Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) creates a hostile climate for lawful firearm-related industries and transactions by facilitating an increasing amount of litigation and claims, with vastly increased liability exposure and civil penalties, for even minor suspected violations of the terms of an FFL or the law as the basis for Unfair Trade Practices Act proceedings. For more information on this bill, click here. This legislation was significantly amended in committee; we will report back to you on the impact these changes have on the bill and what action items need to be taken on the measure.

* Make plans to attend the committee hearing via zoom or in-person. The committee will meet at 1:30pm or upon adjournment of the Senate in Room 321 of the Roundhouse.  For public participation and to register for Zoom send an email to [email protected]. Include the bill number, that you're an opponent and if you will be attending in person or via zoom. To attend meeting via Zoom click the following link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502543362. 
Meeting ID: 815 0254 3362 
Zoom Call: 1-253-205-0468.

* Contact SJC Committee members and urge them to OPPOSE SB 427 and SB 428.  

* Click here to contact your State Senators in opposition to SB 427 in anticipation of a Senate floor vote.

Also on Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 44 by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), a measure banning the carrying of firearms within 100ft of any polling locations on Election Day or during early voting, even by concealed handgun licensees. These new "gun-free" zones apply not only to voters, but also to customers who visit or park at shopping centers and stores that serve as polling locations. 

* Make plans to attend the committee hearing via zoom or in-person.  The committee will meet at 1:30pm or upon adjournment of the House in Room 309 of the Roundhouse.  You may also participate in this hearing via Zoom.  Please click on this link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81793611432 or use One Tap Mobile to call in: US: +12532050468,,81793611432# or +12532158782,,81793611432#​

Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to OPPOSE SB 44.