VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Surrounded by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers, New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham Signs Gun Safety Legislation
3.4.2024
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Sent Over 2,800 Messages Advocating for Life-Saving Legislation this Session
New Mexico Becomes the 12th State to Implement Waiting Periods for Firearm Purchases
SANTA FE, NM — The New Mexico chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after joining Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in a bill signing ceremony for the two gun safety measures passed during the 30-day budget session.
“Today is a win for New Mexico families and safer communities,” said Renee Upston, a volunteer with the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We wouldn’t be standing here without the unyielding support and commitment from our gun sense champions and Governor Lujan Grisham. In January, we stood alongside our governor as they outlayed an ambitious legislative agenda for the thirty day session. Now, we stand proud of these measures and look ahead to continue working with our gun sense champions until we put an end to gun violence in New Mexico.”
“At the start of session, we made a promise to do everything in our power to get gun safety laws to the Governor’s desk and, with the help of advocates across the state, we delivered,” said Eli Crowley, a student volunteer leader with Sandia High School Students Demand Action chapter. “Our work is called gun violence prevention for a reason, it’s all about taking action before tragedy strikes. Every new gun safety law we pass is one step closer to a future where young people can grow up free from the threat of gun violence.”
The measures signed into law were HB 129 and SB 5. The former strengthens the state’s gun safety laws by creating a 7-day waiting period on all firearm purchases to ensure firearms aren’t being transferred during a moment of crisis that could result in the person harming themselves or others. The measure will also address the Charleston Loophole, limiting the gap in the background check system for firearms purchases. SB 5 prohibits the open carrying of firearms in polling places and around mail-in ballot containers while an election or voting is taking place.
In an average year, 492 people die by guns. With a rate of 23.4 deaths per 100,000 people, New Mexico has the 6th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. The rate of gun deaths has increased 80% from 2012 to 2021 in New Mexico, compared to a 39% increase nationwide. More information about gun violence in New Mexico is available here.