New Mexico State Law Summary

Posted on January 1, 2012

Last updated April 20, 2012

In our publication Gun Laws Matter 2012: Understanding the Link Between Weak Laws and Gun Violence, the Law Center ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 29 different firearms-related policy areas. New Mexico ranked 40th 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 9th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2009, 289 people died from firearm-related injuries in New Mexico. That year, 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.