New Mexico Gun Control Bill Sparks Heated Debate: Republicans Allege Overreach, Democrats Cite Public Safety
A contentious piece of legislation currently making its way through the New Mexico legislature is igniting a fierce battle between Republicans and Democrats, raising fundamental questions about the Second Amendment, public safety, and the role of government in regulating firearms. The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act, also known as SB 279, proposes a prohibition on the import, sale, and possession of specific types of firearms, along with large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices, within the state. The bill also mandates the certification of semi-automatic weapons and outlines penalties for non-compliance.
Republicans in New Mexico are vehemently opposing the bill, arguing that it will unfairly criminalize law-abiding citizens, infringe upon their constitutional rights, and ultimately fail to address the root causes of gun violence. They criticize the legislation’s ambiguous language, which they believe grants excessive power to unelected officials in determining which firearms will be outlawed. Opponents also highlight a provision requiring the certification of existing semi-automatic weapons, fearing it could morph into a de facto gun registry.
State Representative Stefani Lord, a Republican from Sandia Park, has been particularly outspoken against the bill, describing it as a hallmark of the "radical agenda" of New Mexico Democrats. She contends that the legislation effectively bans common magazines and firearms already owned by many New Mexicans, accusing Democrats, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, of attempting to "trample the Second Amendment under the guise of public safety." Lord warns that the bill’s vague wording could inadvertently turn responsible gun owners into felons overnight, asserting that the legislation is not primarily about safety, but rather about control driven by a liberal agenda.
Echoing Lord’s concerns, State Representative John Block, a Republican from Alamogordo, characterized the gun control bill as a typical example of what he considers the "most liberal legislative session this state has ever seen." He argues that the ban on gas-operated semi-automatic firearms is shrouded in vague language that grants unelected officials too much authority to decide which guns will be prohibited. Block drew a parallel between the current bill and Governor Lujan Grisham’s previous temporary public health order restricting the open carrying of firearms following a spate of gun violence in Albuquerque, suggesting a pattern of Democrats seeking to disarm New Mexicans.
The focus on gas-operated firearms has also drawn scrutiny. According to a source familiar with the legislation, the emphasis on this type of firearm allows proponents to target AR-15 rifles without explicitly naming them. The source also suggested that the term "gas power" is intended to create a perception of increased lethality, while in reality, it simply refers to the mechanism by which spent gas from a casing is used to reset the gun’s bolt for the next firing.
Meanwhile, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has staunchly defended the bill, asserting that it is not an attack on Second Amendment rights but a responsible step towards protecting the populace. She emphasizes that the legislation focuses on regulating the most dangerous firearms and accessories that are disproportionately used in mass shootings. Lujan Grisham also points out that the vast majority of handguns, which the Supreme Court has recognized as quintessential self-defense weapons, are not regulated under the proposed law.
Addressing concerns about a gun registry, Governor Lujan Grisham clarified that current owners of regulated gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines can retain their ownership by filing a simple form with local dealers. She insists that this process does not constitute a gun registry as critics have falsely claimed. The Governor further stated that similar laws in other states have been upheld by judges across the political spectrum, expressing confidence that the New Mexico legislation is constitutional and necessary to protect the state’s residents.
The National Association for Gun Rights has also weighed in on the debate. Matthew Mammoser, an official with the organization, posted a video showing himself delivering what he described as "thousands" of petitions from New Mexicans opposing the bill.
Despite the deep divisions, House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, a Republican from Socorro, indicated that her caucus is willing to work with Democrats on "real solutions" to gun violence and other concerns addressed by the bill. However, she criticized Democrats for prioritizing what she sees as a radical agenda at the expense of constitutional rights, rather than focusing on issues such as violent offenders, healthcare shortages, and the state’s affordability crisis.
The bill’s top-listed sponsor, State Senator Micaelita O’Malley, a Democrat from Bernalillo, did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
The outcome of this legislative battle could have significant implications for gun owners in New Mexico and could potentially set a precedent for other states considering similar measures. The debate underscores the deeply entrenched political divisions surrounding gun control and the challenges of finding common ground on this contentious issue. As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, the arguments on both sides are likely to intensify, further fueling the debate over the balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety.
