New Mexico State Law Summary

Last updated March 15, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. New Mexico ranked 45th out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, New Mexico does not:

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• License or significantly regulate firearms dealers;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• License firearm owners;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or subject to domestic violence protective or restraining orders from purchasing or possessing firearms;

• Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases; or

• Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in New Mexico generally lack authority to regulate firearms and ammunition, and New Mexico requires local law enforcement to issue a concealed handgun license to any applicant who meets certain basic qualifications.

New Mexico ranks 8th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 295 people died from firearm-related injuries in New Mexico. In 2009, New Mexico supplied the 17th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and the state exports more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in New Mexico, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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