New Mexico’s 2022 Legislative Session Ends Today, Lawmakers Failed to Address Rising Gun Violence in State
2.17.2022
Today marks the last day of New Mexico’s 2022 legislative session and a missed opportunity to pass lifesaving gun laws. This session, state lawmakers considered bills like HB 9, legislation to require firearms to be securely stored away from children, and HB 96, legislation to create a $10 million violence intervention program fund — both of which would fill critical gaps in New Mexico’s firearm laws. Instead of passing these much needed gun safety measures, legislators let the session end without meaningful action on gun violence.
“Lawmakers had the opportunity to save lives this session, but unfortunately, they failed to act,” said Anamaria Dahl, Chapter Lead with the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The legislature could have taken meaningful action to alleviate a lot of suffering in our communities by passing popular, common-sense gun safety measures. Instead, they’ve let the session pass with no movement to reduce rising gun violence.”
New Everytown polling shows that the majority of voters in New Mexico, including gun owners, want stronger gun safety laws and support legislation to require secure firearm storage. Additionally, new analysis shows that in order to build a comprehensive and ideal gun safety system, New Mexico should pass legislation to require secure firearm storage and provide funding for lifesaving violence intervention work.
In an average year, 433 people are shot and killed with a gun in New Mexico, and 879 more are wounded. Firearms are the leading cause of death among the state’s youth population. New Mexico has the seventh-highest rate of gun deaths in the country, and in the last decade the homicide rate has increased over 100%. Gun violence costs New Mexico $3.1 billion each year, of which $131.9 million is paid by taxpayers.
More information about gun violence in New Mexico is available here, and Everytown’s interactive gun law platform — which shows the direct correlation between the strength of a state’s gun laws and its rate of gun deaths — is available here.