On Saturday, the New Mexico legislature adjourned sine die from the 2025 legislative session. Despite efforts by anti-gun advocates, Second Amendment supporters were able to engage and help prevent two radical anti-gun proposals from becoming law, SB 279 (semi-auto ban) and SB 318 (industry liability). Unfortunately, HB 12 (red flag expansion) was passed and signed by the Governor. As the session closed out, Governor Loujan Grisham wasted no time in announcing potential plans for a special session on gun control, similar to calls last summer.
Thank you to NRA members and Second Amendment advocates who took the time to contact their lawmakers and attend hearings. Your advocacy matters. Your NRA will continue to monitor the situation on the ground and be back at the Round House next session in 2026 and any special sessions that may come up before then.
HB 12, introduced by Garratt, Chandler, Duhigg, and Berghmans, allows law enforcement officers to request extreme risk firearm protection orders based on information acquired in the scope of their duties, allowing law enforcement to act as both the source and the mechanism. Further, the legislation requires immediate surrender of firearms by those subject to an order, removing the 48 hour window. HB 12 was signed by the Governor on March 21.
SB 279 introduced by O'Malley, Berghmans, Romero, Little, and Caballero, establishes prohibitions on gas-operated semiautomatic firearms, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and rapid-fire devices. The bill also outlines a certification process for certain exempted firearms. SB 279 was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee but failed to received a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee and failed for the session.
SB 318 expands the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act to include firearms, parts, and accessories, imposing severe penalties of $30,000 per violation and holding manufacturers, distributors, and online platforms jointly liable for actions by third parties. It allows private lawsuits without proof of harm and grants sweeping authority to the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties. This overreach increases compliance costs, threatens lawful businesses with excessive litigation, and raises serious constitutional and interstate commerce concerns, all while doing little to address criminal misuse of firearms. SB 318 was passed out of committee but was never brought to a vote on the Senate floor and failed for the session.
Continue to check your inbox and www.nraila.org for updates concerning your Second Amendment rights.