SB 17 strengthens regulations for firearms dealers to crack down on gun trafficking and straw purchases, while also prohibiting the sale of certain assault weapons and high capacity magazines to help prevent mass shootings

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, commonsense legislation to crack down on illegal gun trafficking and protect New Mexicans from gun violence passed the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee by a vote of 6-5. The bill now moves to the House Judiciary Committee. 

Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act, would strengthen regulations and require additional training for gun dealers in order to prevent straw purchases and gun trafficking. The bill also prohibits the sale of certain high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, .50 caliber rifles, and machine guns.

"Right now, we regulate alcohol and cannabis more stringently than we regulate gun dealers in our state, despite the fact that New Mexico has the third highest gun death rate in the nation," said House sponsor Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe). "SB 17 allows us to take commonsense steps to reduce gun violence and improve public safety by holding retailers more accountable for enforcing our existing laws, while prohibiting the sale of the most dangerous, military-grade weapons used in mass shootings." 

Additional sponsors of SB 17 include Reps. Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque) and Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Debbie O'Malley (D-Albuquerque) and Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque). 

A recent Everytown for Gun Safety report showed that of the 4,847 guns used in crimes recovered and traced by law enforcement across New Mexico, 77% were originally sold by dealers within the state. More than 56% of these guns were recovered within 10 miles of the dealer that sold them, and nearly half were purchased less than three years before recovery, a key indicator of trafficking.

"We must take action to protect our kids from gun violence, starting with preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands," said co-sponsor Rep. Little. "While most gun retailers already follow robust safety procedures, SB 17 allows us to hold the few who do not accountable, and disrupt the black market for illegal guns in New Mexico."

Firearms kill an estimated 50 children and teens in New Mexico every year and are tied with motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for youth in the state.

SB 17 is part of the House Democrats' broad package of legislation and investments this session to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities. A non-comprehensive list of these legislative priorities is below. 

The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year's 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.   

Select Community Safety Priorities 

A non-comprehensive list of community safety investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes: 

Continuing investments in law enforcement and our communities to address root causes of crime (HB 2)*

Investing in evidence-based diversion programs at CYFD, to help prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in crime and lead those with minor offenses down a better path (HB 2)*

Allocating $2 million for crime-reduction grants through the New Mexico Sentencing Commission (HB 2)*

Appropriating $2 million for intelligence-led policing (HB 2)*

Directing $1.25 million to the Organized Crime Commission (HB 2)*

Making dedicated investments in our justice system, including additional funding to support District Attorneys statewide, expanding Juvenile and Teen Drug Court and adding a family court judge in New Mexico's Second Judicial District (HB 2)*

Preventing the state from contracting with private ICE detention facilities to detain innocent immigrants, through the Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9)* 

Ensuring routine state surveillance data cannot be misused by ICE (SB 40, SB 53)

Addressing juvenile justice proactively, with age-appropriate accountability measures and improved services for at-risk youth (HB 5)

Implementing commonsense gun safety solutions, like closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to have access to firearms (HB 25, SB17, HB 49*)

Improving the courts' ability to proactively intervene if a person suffering from serious mental health issues poses a threat of harm to themself or others (SB 3)*