On Tuesday, the New Mexico House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC) will meet to consider an extreme anti-gun bill, H.B. 9, sponsored by state Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Bernalillo). It is also co-sponsored by the chairwoman of HCPAC, Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Doña Ana).
Herndon’s bill will force New Mexicans to lock up their firearms in “a gun safe or a device that prevents a firearm from being discharged or from being used to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion or a device other than a gun safe that locks a firearm and is designed to prevent children and unauthorized users from firing a firearm, which device may be installed on a firearm, be incorporated into the design of the firearm or prevent access to the firearm.”
If the gun owner does not lock up any and all firearms and their gun is somehow used in an offense by a minor causing “great bodily harm” or death, the parent of that child could be made a felon if the victim of the crime is killed or permanently disabled.
As noted by even some Democrats in the chamber during a July 2022 preview of the bill, it would be the first crime proposal to base a defendant’s sentence not on their own actions but that of someone else (a minor) who got ahold of a firearm.
The bill does not, however, include provisions protecting the gun owner if the firearm was stolen, nor does it account for the de-facto tax it burdens the owner with being forced to find a new locking device to place it at all times. The bill is also blatantly unconstitutional.
Previous versions of this bill sponsored during the last two legislative sessions by state Sen. Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez (D-Bernalillo) have died.
The first anti-gun bill introduced by Democrats is one by state Rep. Patricia Roybal-Caballero (D-Bernalillo), H.B. 50, which bans all citizens who own firearm magazines greater than ten rounds and makes any offender a felon.
The Committee will meet ten minutes following the House floor session, or approximately at 1:30 p.m. in Room 317 in Santa Fe.
To join the meeting virtually, see the Zoom details below:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89037370054
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13462487799,,89037370054# or +16694449171,,89037370054#
Webinar ID: 890 3737 0054
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdAYD2zIM2
To contact the members of the committee, see the contact information for their offices below:
Chairwoman Joann Ferrary (D) 505-986-4844 joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Angelica Rubio (D) 505-986-4210 angelica.rubio@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Andrea Romero (D) 505-986-4243 andrea@andrearomero.com
Rep. Liz Thomson (D) 505-986-4425 liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov
Rep. Stefani Lord (R) 505-986-4453 stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov (NRA Endorsed in 2022)
Rep. John Block (R) 505-986-4220 John.Block@nmlegis.gov (NRA Endorsed in 2022)
I know where my own State Rep Stefani Lord stands. Hopefully she and John can convince enough Dems on the committee that this bill is bad to help stop it.
Take an Oath to uphold the Constitution, and at first chance break your oath to the people you are ‘seated’ to represent.
What about the ranchers along our southern border. All the home invasions and attempts that are taking place. In an emergency how is a rancher to defend himself and family. Running to a gun safe while cartel members are breaking down the door isn’t any good.
Every time I read the verb “dropped” on this blog, I initially think the writer means we’re finished with something, e.g., (in unambiguous English) a bill is no longer being proposed or has been withdrawn. Instead, “dropped” is used colloquially and I’ll bet I’m not the only one who gets momentarily flustered.
John, last time I checked, this is not a hip-hop blog, please know and respect the demographics of your readers (you know, those of us who voted for you) and communicate clearly. Use the expression “released to the public” or words to that effect and save the “droppings” for birds, bombing runs and baseball errors, please.
ABC = Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity. Thanks.