News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

As we near the half-way point of the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, here is a recap of last week and what to expect this week. The most notable event was the inclusion of the "weapon conversion device" ban into the omnibus crime bill, HB8. Several bills were combined into the new bill in the House Judiciary Committee. The new committee substitute bill was then quickly sent to the floor and passed on a vote of 48-20 with several Republicans voting for the bill. Below is the modified language that passed the house. "Unlawful possession of a weapon conversion device consists of a person knowingly having in that person's possession an unlawfully obtained weapon conversion device or knowingly transporting an unlawfully obtained weapon conversion device... "weapon conversion device" means a part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon." The bill now heads to the Senate, the committee assignments have yet to be announced. HB12, the red-flag gun confiscation expansion bill was left out of HB8, despite some lobbying to include it from the bill's sponsors. That bill has been awaiting action by the House Floor for over a week now. It is possible that it could be brought up for a vote any day, so it is imperative to continue to keep up the pressure against the bill. The gun control bills introduced on the Senate side have yet to be brought up in their first respective committees. SB255, expanding the criminalization of private firearms transfers is sitting in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee. SB279, the semiautomatic rifle and magazine ban, as well as SB244, making a crime for a minor to possess a firearm, are both awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB318, which could allow activists to sue gun stores in New Mexico out of existence, is in the Senate Tax, Business & Transporation Committee. We will send an alert when these bills are scheduled for a committee hearing. HB202, the gun safe tax credit bill is schedule for a hearing in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee tomorrow on Monday February 17. As we approach the critical half-way point of the session, the pace of bills moving through committees will pick up. Be on the lookout for more frequent updates, and please make sure you are sharing our updates with everyone who could be impacted by potential legislation in Santa Fe.