New Mexico Senate lawmakers passed a bill that would restrict firearms sales and increase regulations for gun dealers. Senate Bill 17 passed by a 21-17 vote Saturday, Feb. 7. The bill targets what’s known as “straw purchases,” meaning when a person buys a gun from a reputable dealer and sells it, under the table, to someone who is not legally allowed to own a firearm.KOAT reached out to both Republicans and Democrats for a response to the passing of the bill in the Senate. Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-District 35), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the close vote was an indication that some saw the bill as violating the Second Amendment.”I’m frankly surprised it passed,” Brantley told KOAT. “This is not a partisan issue because protecting our Second Amendment rights and standing for the Constitution shouldn’t be a partisan issue at all. When lawmakers arrive in Santa Fe, we swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States and to the New Mexico Senate. So to knowingly vote against the Constitution is an abandonment of our duties as lawmakers.”Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement that regulating the sale of guns is needed to rein in violent crime in which guns are used.”The bill holds gun dealers to the same basic standards expected of any responsible business,” Lujan Grisham said. “Securing inventory, training employees, and preventing illegal sales. This is common-sense legislation that will save lives and make our state a better place to raise a family. New Mexico has a serious problem with violent crime and guns, and SB 17 will take meaningful steps to address it.”The bill now goes to the House.
New Mexico Senate lawmakers passed a bill that would restrict firearms sales and increase regulations for gun dealers. Senate Bill 17 passed by a 21-17 vote Saturday, Feb. 7.
The bill targets what’s known as “straw purchases,” meaning when a person buys a gun from a reputable dealer and sells it, under the table, to someone who is not legally allowed to own a firearm.
KOAT reached out to both Republicans and Democrats for a response to the passing of the bill in the Senate.
Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-District 35), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the close vote was an indication that some saw the bill as violating the Second Amendment.
“I’m frankly surprised it passed,” Brantley told KOAT. “This is not a partisan issue because protecting our Second Amendment rights and standing for the Constitution shouldn’t be a partisan issue at all. When lawmakers arrive in Santa Fe, we swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States and to the New Mexico Senate. So to knowingly vote against the Constitution is an abandonment of our duties as lawmakers.”
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement that regulating the sale of guns is needed to rein in violent crime in which guns are used.
“The bill holds gun dealers to the same basic standards expected of any responsible business,” Lujan Grisham said. “Securing inventory, training employees, and preventing illegal sales. This is common-sense legislation that will save lives and make our state a better place to raise a family. New Mexico has a serious problem with violent crime and guns, and SB 17 will take meaningful steps to address it.”
The bill now goes to the House.
