New Mexico: House Agrees to Senate Amendments on HB 129, Sending 7-Day Waiting Period Bill to Governor

Senate Bill 5, Legislation Banning Firearms Near Polling Places Could Be Voted on by the House TODAY

Dear Second Amendment Supporters:

Progressive Democrats in the New Mexico House voted 36-32 last night to agree to a series of Senate amendments and send House Bill 129, the 7-day waiting period bill, to anti-gun governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for her expected signature. The most notable of the Senate changes to the bill which were accepted by the House was an amendment to exempt valid New Mexico concealed handgun licensees from this unnecessary and ineffective purchase delay.  

As passed by the Legislature, HB 129 mandates a 7-day waiting period on any gun buyer, other than a concealed handgun licensee, who clears an FBI background check to purchase a firearm. This legislation won't impact crime or impulsive acts of self-harm, it will only unnecessarily delay your ability to exercise your right to purchase and own firearms for any number of reasons, including personal protection. 

Next, the House could vote TODAY on Senate Bill 5, legislation creating "gun-free" zones around polling places, alternative voting locations, mobile voting sites and ballot dropboxes – including for voters who are concealed handgun licensees.  This bill is a solution in search of a problem.  If it passes, it will only encourage progressive Democrats to push measures to create more "gun-free" zones in future sessions that will disarm law-abiding citizens and which criminals will ignore.