Second Amendment Rally Tomorrow At NM State Capitol

 

New Mexico Shooting Sports Assn.: NM Outdoor Adventure Show

 

🏕️ 2026 New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show Join NMSSA as we again support the New Mexico Department of Wildlife at the 2026 New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show—celebrating conservation, outdoor heritage, and responsible recreation across New Mexico. 📅 Dates: February 13, 2026 – February 15, 2026 🔁 Recurrence: Daily 📍 Location: EXPO New Mexico – Home of the State Fair 300 San Pedro Dr. N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87108 This annual event celebrates New Mexico’s outdoor heritage, conservation, hunting, fishing, and responsible recreation. NMSSA is proud to stand alongside our partners in supporting education, stewardship, and the outdoor traditions we all value. 🙋 Volunteers Needed NMSSA is seeking volunteers to help staff our presence at the show, engage with attendees, and share information about our mission and programs. Whether you can help for a few hours or the entire weekend, your support makes a difference. 👉 Sign Up to Volunteer Cantact: Richard Anderson, Event Coordinator (505) 604-2727 or email: wrickage@gmail.com

10th Circuit Waiting-Period Case Paused

 

The following came this morning in an email from the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association:

10th Circuit Waiting-Period Case Paused (En Banc Petition Filed)

NMSSA Update: On August 19, 2025, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit delivered a major win for gun owners in New Mexico. The panel ruled that our state’s seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases likely violates the Second Amendment and directed the lower court to issue a preliminary injunction against enforcement. This was a clear recognition that the law places an unconstitutional burden on the lawful acquisition of firearms. But the fight is not over. This week, the State of New Mexico filed a petition asking the full Tenth Circuit to rehear the case en banc. “En banc” means the case would be reconsidered by all active judges of the court, not just the original three-judge panel. When the State filed this petition, it automatically stayed the mandate — which means the panel’s decision is not currently in effect. In other words, the seven-day waiting period remains in place until the court decides what to do with the petition. What happens next If the court denies rehearing, the mandate will usually issue 7 days later. At that point, the lower court would be required to issue the injunction, blocking the waiting period. If the court grants rehearing en banc, the panel’s ruling is vacated, and the case will be reconsidered by the full court, which will issue a new decision. Until then, the status quo continues, and gun owners must remain patient and vigilant. Why this matters This case could set an important precedent not only for New Mexico but for the entire Tenth Circuit region. It is another example of how courts across the country are applying the Supreme Court’s Bruen standard and pushing back against laws that lack historical justification. NMSSA’s Commitment Your New Mexico Shooting Sports Association is following this case closely. We will continue to provide timely, accurate updates to keep our members informed. When major changes occur — whether the mandate issues or the full court agrees to rehear the case — you will hear about it from us first. Thank you for standing with NMSSA in defense of your Second Amendment rights. — Anthony Segura Executive Director New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

The 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session is now over. Below is a recap of the session and what comes next. First, what passed? Two bills related to firearms and gun laws made it through and have been signed by the governor. HB8, which included the state-level ban on illegal "firearm conversion devices" in the crime omnibus bill. HB8 states: "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." State prosecutors claimed they needed to have a state-level ban as federal prosecutors in New Mexico were declining to take cases regarding illegally obtained machine guns. The second bill, HB12, expanded New Mexico's red-flag gun confiscation law. The law now allows a police officer to initiate an order themselves and not wait for a family member to initiate the order. It also requires immediate surrender instead of within 48 hours in some petitions. Judges could already order an immediate surrender. The three bills that we were intently watching towards the end all failed to pass. SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine purchase and transfer ban stalled out in the Senate Finance Committee. The governor was pushing very hard to get the bill through the committee, hence why it was added to the agenda with just two days to go. But nonetheless, it was never brought up for a vote. The gun-store liability bill, SB318, was never brought up for a vote on the House Floor. The concealed carry act rewrite, SB507, met the same fate of never receiving a vote on the House Floor. But before the session had concluded, the governor already stated she wants to call a special session to pass gun control including a ban on semiautomatic rifles. She claimed it was in response to the shooting that occurred last night in Las Cruces, but she had been pushing very hard behind the scenes for SB279 this session even before that tragic incident happened. We don't know for sure if she will call a special session, but we note she has done it before. We will keep you updated on the status of a special session on gun control. The shooting that occurred in Las Cruces was tragic, several young people had their lives cut short and others are hospitalized now. But once again in New Mexico we are forced to witness the escalation of events when our justice system fails to intervene. There had already been outbursts of violence at these "street takeover" events that happened at this park in Las Cruces in recent months along with other criminal activity. The Las Cruces Police Chief Jermy Story spoke of a lack of accountability for criminal acts at a press conference earlier today. It is also worth noting that all shell casings recovered by police at the scene were from handguns. The young individual seen in images on social media carrying a rifle was not one of the shooters according to investigators.

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

SB318, the gun store liability bill that could put every gun store in NM out of business by enabling frivolous lawsuits against firearms industry companies, advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee today after a few amendments were made. The amendments were clarifying language suggested by the Attorney General's Office (New Mexico Department of Justice) and language from the House Judiciary Committee to expand liability to companies in other industries. The bill still singles out the firearms industry, but it is expanding the Unfair Trade Practices Act to more companies that sell products in New Mexico and increasing penalties for everyone. The next stop for the bill is the House Floor for a vote by all members of the New Mexico House of Representatives. If it passes the House side, it will have to go back to the Senate Floor for concurrence as the bill was amended. Despite being listed first on the agenda, SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine ban, wasn't heard in the Senate Finance Committee today in either of their meetings. The committee has no more meetings scheduled. It is possible the bill could be pulled from the committee and sent straight to the floor if it is going to have a vote by the full Senate in the closing hours of the 2025 Legislative Session. There is just a day and a half left in the 2025 Legislative Session. SB318 is being pushed very hard as it is seen as the best chance to pass a major gun-control law this session. Please continue to contact your representatives and senators and tell them to do everything they can to stop the bill.

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

As we enter the final days of the 2025 Legislative Session, the governor is making a frantic effort to push her gun-control agenda across the line. Two bills have been scheduled for Thursday, 3/20. SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine ban, has been scheduled for the Senate Finance Committee after sitting dormant for weeks. They will meet in Room 322 at the call of the chair - so no official time has been given (Zoom link). The bill is the first on the agenda. SB318, the gun store liability bill that could put every gun store in NM out of business by enabling frivolous lawsuits against firearms industry companies, will be in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning at 9 A.M. in Room 317 (Zoom link). The bill is also first on the agenda.  House Judiciary Committee Christine Chandler - (D) christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4411 Andrea Romero - (D) andrea@andrearomero.com 505-986-4243 Javier Martínez - (D) javier.martinez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4782 Matthew McQueen - (D) matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4423 Andrea Reeb - (R) Andrea.Reeb@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4215 Reena Szczepanski - (D) reena.szczepanski@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4777 Michelle Paulene Abeyta - (D) michelle.abeyta@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4254 Nicole Chavez - (R) nicole.chavez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4214 William A. Hall II - (R) bill.hall@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4336 Dayan Hochman-Vigil - (D) dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4777 Alan T. Martinez - (R) Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4758 Senate Finance Committee Senator George K. Muñoz - (D) george.munoz@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4371 Senator Benny Shendo, Jr. - (D) benny.shendo@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4264 Senator Craig W. Brandt - (R) craig.brandt@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4703 Senator Pete Campos - (D) pete.campos@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4267 Senator Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales - (D) roberto.gonzales@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4362 Senator Steve D. Lanier - (R) steve.lanier@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4724 Senator Michael Padilla - (D) michael.padilla@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4737 Senator Jeff Steinborn - (D) jeff.steinborn@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4862 Senator Nicole Tobiassen - (R) nicole.tobiassen@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4278 Senator Linda M. Trujillo - (D) linda.trujillo@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4863 Senator Pat Woods - (R) pat.woods@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4853

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

After a floor vote on SB318 was delayed last Thursday, the bill was brought up again on the Senate Floor tonight for a vote and was passed 21 to 18. Numerous gun stores from around the state have told us the bill could put every gun store in New Mexico out of business. The bill accomplishes this by amending New Mexico's Unfair Trade Practices Act to make it easier to sue a gun store than any other type of business and imposing harsher penalties on gun stores than any other type of business. Further, the bill states: "proof of monetary damage, loss of profits or intent to deceive or take unfair advantage of any person is not required" to sue a gun store or manufacturer. Activist groups who hate the Second-Amendment would be given free rein to sue New Mexico gun stores until the stores are forced to close. No other state in the country targets gun stores in this extreme manner. The bill now heads to the House Side. We expect it will stop in the House Judiciary Committee first, followed by a floor vote if it passes that committee. We have only days left in the 2025 Legislative Session, so we must act quickly if we are going to stop SB318. First, the contact info for House Judiciary Committee Members is at the bottom of this email. Second, find and contact your state representative, and tell them to oppose SB318. The 2025 Session ends at noon on Saturday, so this will be sprint to the end. Here is a quick rundown of the other bills we are tracking now. SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine ban is still sitting in the Senate Finance Committee and has not moved in over a week. HB12, the red-flag gun confiscation law expansion has passed both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor. The courts will ultimately be where this type of law will have to be fought. SB507, the concealed carry act rewrite will be in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow, 3/19, after passing the Senate side. House Judiciary Committee Christine Chandler - (D) christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4411 Andrea Romero - (D) andrea@andrearomero.com 505-986-4243 Javier Martínez - (D) javier.martinez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4782 Matthew McQueen - (D) matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4423 Andrea Reeb - (R) Andrea.Reeb@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4215 Reena Szczepanski - (D) reena.szczepanski@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4777 Michelle Paulene Abeyta - (D) michelle.abeyta@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4254 Nicole Chavez - (R) nicole.chavez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4214 William A. Hall II - (R) bill.hall@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4336 Dayan Hochman-Vigil - (D) dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4777 Alan T. Martinez - (R) Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4758

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

While SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine ban, has been idling in the Senate Finance committee for a week, SB318 has been fast-tracked in Santa Fe. The bill could put every gun store in New Mexico out of business by amending New Mexico's Unfair Trade Practices Act to make it easier to sue a gun store than any other type of business and imposing harsher penalties on gun stores than any other type of business. Further, the bill states: "proof of monetary damage, loss of profits or intent to deceive or take unfair advantage of any person is not required" to sue a gun store. Activist groups who hate the Second-Amendment would be given free rein to sue New Mexico gun stores until they were forced to close. No other state in the country targets gun stores in this extreme manner, but trial attorneys who have a grip on the New Mexico Legislature have put gun stores in their sights looking for a payday. What can you do right now? First, find and contact your state legislators, and tell them to oppose SB318 as it is on the Floor of the Senate with a vote by all State Senators scheduled for tomorrow. Second, forward this message to anyone, especially FFLs who need to be aware of what is happening in Santa Fe right now.

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

Dear 2nd Amendment Supporter, Two dangerous bills, SB279 and SB318, are advancing in the New Mexico Legislature, posing a direct threat to both law-abiding gun owners and the firearms industry in our state. We must take immediate action to stop them. SB279 – The Gun & Magazine Ban Late Friday night, SB279, the so-called "gas-operated firearm and magazine ban," was pushed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 5-4 vote after numerous revisions—many of which were only made public the day before the vote. The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee, a committee where similar bills have never been heard before. Today 3/12/2025 🚨 Why This Matters: This bill is an extreme gun ban that would criminalize the possession of commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines. The process has lacked transparency, with lawmakers rushing through major revisions without public scrutiny. There is concern that this bill may be pushed directly to the Senate floor, bypassing Senate Finance altogether. SB318 – A Direct Attack on Firearm Retailers On Saturday, SB318, a bill designed to cripple the firearms industry, was rushed through the Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee. It is now scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Today, March 12, 2025. 🚨 Why This Matters: This bill unfairly targets firearm retailers and manufacturers, making them more vulnerable to lawsuits than any other industry. Gun shop owners have testified that if SB318 passes, they will be unable to obtain insurance and will be forced out of business. The real intent of this bill is to bankrupt firearm businesses and strip New Mexicans of their Second Amendment rights. What You Can Do: 1️⃣ Contact Your Senators – Tell them to VOTE NO on SB279 and SB318. Demand they protect your rights and oppose these extreme bills. Find your senator here: [Insert link to legislator contact information] 2️⃣ Attend the Hearings – If possible, attend the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB318 on 3/12. SB279 is scheduled for a hearing today! 3️⃣ Spread the Word – Share this email with fellow gun owners, firearm retailers, and Second Amendment supporters. We cannot allow radical anti-gun legislators to erode our freedoms. Stand with us and make your voice heard! Thank you for your support, Anthony Segura Executive Director, New Mexico Shooting Sports Association NMSSA nmssa.org

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

We are down to the critical last two weeks of the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session. Below is a list of the key bills that we are working on, there are still numerous other bills we are monitoring, but have been dormant for some time and are seen as a lower priority at this point. HB12, the "red-flag" gun confiscation law expansion, was passed out of the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee this afternoon. It now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would allow for a police officer to initiate an order and require firearms to be surrendered immediately as opposed to within 48 hours.  SB244, which would make it a crime for a minor to poses a firearm with very limited exceptions, has yet to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee despite being scheduled twice. No reason has been given by the committee as to why it was rolled over twice, but it could be brought up again quickly at any Senate Judiciary Committee Meeting. SB279, the gas-operated firearm and magazine ban, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee late Friday night on a 5-4 vote. The bill has gone through numerous revisions, and it wasn't until yesterday that the final version was even released to the public. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee for its next hearing. Similar bills introduced in past legislative sessions have not been sent to Senate Finance before. As the budget has yet to be passed, the Senate Finance Committee has been prioritizing working on the budget over hearing non-budget bills. While this means the bill could be delayed in the committee, we are concerned that through a procedural move the bill could bypass the committee and be sent to the floor next. We will alert you as soon as we have any information on when the bill will be heard next. SB318, which targets the firearms industry by making it easier to sue a gun retailer or manufacturer than any other type of business, was passed out of the Senate Tax, Business, & Transporation Committee quickly on Saturday afternoon. The bill was then scheduled for the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday, 3/10, in the afternoon in Room 321 (Zoom Link). Numerous firearm retailers have testified they would not be able to operate in New Mexico if the bill passes as it would be impossible to obtain insurance for their business. SB507, the concealed carry act rewrite, passed the Senate by a vote of 27-10. The bill was amended several times. Below is a summary of the key changes to the Concealed Carry Weapon Act in the version that passed the Senate. Removes the caliber and category qualification and requirements. Allows lawful permanent residents to obtain a permit. Reduces training time to 6 hours. Increases penalties for concealed carrying a loaded firearm without a permit to a misdemeanor from a petty misdemeanor. The reciprocity language was added back in during the bill's hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The importance of these last two weeks cannot be overstated as the landscape of firearm laws in New Mexico could drastically change as SB279 would be the most restrictive gun ban passed anywhere in country should it go through.

News From New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

 

On Monday, 3/3, two gun control bills will have their first committee hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee in Room 321 after the floor session ends in the afternoon (times can widely vary at this point in the legislative session) (Zoom Link). The ban on the sale or transfer of gas operated rifles, handguns, and shotguns, SB279, will receive it first committee hearing. The bill would also ban the sale or transfer of all magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, regardless of the firearm operation. Additionally, SB244, which would ban minors from possessing a firearm will also be heard. While there are some exemptions written into the bill, the very limited scope of when and how a firearm could be possessed by a minor could still end youth shooting sports and youth hunting in New Mexico. Additionally, the bill would make it a crime for a minor to use a firearm in self-defense or in the defense of others unless their parent or guardian was physically present next to them. This past Friday evening, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB507, the concealed carry law rewrite. There were two key amendments to the bill. First, the age to receive a permit was moved back to 21 from 19. Second, the reciprocity language removed from the Concealed Handgun Carry Act was added back. The reciprocity change was our primary concern with the bill. The language of the final amendments has not been publicly published yet, but we will continue to advocate on the bill to ensure it is a move in the right direction. Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Joseph Cervantes - (D) joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4861 Senator Katy M. Duhigg - (D) katy.duhigg@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4270 Senator Mimi Stewart - (D) mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4734 Senator Peter Wirth - (D) peter.wirth@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4727 Senator Antonio Maestas - (D) antonio.maestas@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4373 Senator Crystal Brantley - (R) crystal.brantley@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4369 Senator Debbie O'Malley - (D) debbie.o'malley@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4301 Senator Nicholas A. Paul - (R) nicholas.paul@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4395 Senator Anthony L. Thornton - (R) anthony.thornton@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4274

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.