Senate Bill 17, known as the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,” passed the New Mexico Senate a few days ago, aiming to prevent the sale of certain firearms, including AK and AR-15 rifles, without affecting existing firearms.Authors of the bill say it would prevent the sale of what they called “extremely dangerous weapons,” but proponents of the bill say it infringes on their rights.The bill has become highly contentious and heavily debated after passing through the Senate. It would prevent the sale of most modern semiautomatic rifles and limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds. It also calls for gun dealers to follow stricter rules.”It’s either going to die in this House, or it’s going to die in the courthouse, one of the two, but it’s going to die,” said Harlan Vincent, a state representative for Lincoln and Otero counties.The new set of rules for gun dealers would include increased security measures. For example, gun dealers must have cameras in the stores and keep all recordings for at least two years. Gun store employees will also have to be 21 or older and must pass a state-created training program.”Essentially, 77% of guns that have been discovered in the course of a crime being committed in New Mexico have come from a legal gun sale, meaning somebody bought the firearm and then sold it to a criminal who committed a crime in New Mexico,” said Andrea Romero, a state representative for Santa Fe County.Critics argue that the bill could negatively impact businesses. “There’s lots of people that, sell guns, and this also puts them out of business. We’ve already taken away jobs. Now we’re taking away businesses,” Vincent said.The bill only passed the Senate by four votes, and it appears there could be another close outcome in the House. If the bill passes the House, it will head to the governor, whose office has indicated she plans to sign it.
Senate Bill 17, known as the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,” passed the New Mexico Senate a few days ago, aiming to prevent the sale of certain firearms, including AK and AR-15 rifles, without affecting existing firearms.
Authors of the bill say it would prevent the sale of what they called “extremely dangerous weapons,” but proponents of the bill say it infringes on their rights.
The bill has become highly contentious and heavily debated after passing through the Senate. It would prevent the sale of most modern semiautomatic rifles and limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds. It also calls for gun dealers to follow stricter rules.
“It’s either going to die in this House, or it’s going to die in the courthouse, one of the two, but it’s going to die,” said Harlan Vincent, a state representative for Lincoln and Otero counties.
The new set of rules for gun dealers would include increased security measures. For example, gun dealers must have cameras in the stores and keep all recordings for at least two years. Gun store employees will also have to be 21 or older and must pass a state-created training program.
“Essentially, 77% of guns that have been discovered in the course of a crime being committed in New Mexico have come from a legal gun sale, meaning somebody bought the firearm and then sold it to a criminal who committed a crime in New Mexico,” said Andrea Romero, a state representative for Santa Fe County.
Critics argue that the bill could negatively impact businesses. “There’s lots of people that, sell guns, and this also puts them out of business. We’ve already taken away jobs. Now we’re taking away businesses,” Vincent said.
The bill only passed the Senate by four votes, and it appears there could be another close outcome in the House. If the bill passes the House, it will head to the governor, whose office has indicated she plans to sign it.
