Yikes! NM Gun Laws...

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by catman

Here in Texas, anyone who buys a gun at a gun show has to fill out a yellow sheet and, if it's a handgun, has to wait 5 days (Brady Bill) unless he/she has a concealed handgun license, in which case no further checking is needed. I'm surprised that NM doesn't have a similar setup. Here in TX, there is much talk of the "gun show loophole", but I've been to a lot of gun shows and haven't seen the so-called loophole in action.

In New Mexico there is no state requirement that a criminal background check be done on people buying guns at gun shows if they are sold by "private" individuals or gun "collectors". Gun shows can operate on a "no questions asked, cash-and-carry" basis. No records are required to be kept on gun show sales by private individuals or gun collectors.



Rich

[kobeek]

Are you sure about that Rich? Because I went to the gun show at the Lujan Bldg in June, and the guy there told me that EVERYONE selling had to run background checks. Maybe it's not a state law, but they seem to be enforcing it at the gun shows, maybe just on a "per show" basis.

Either way, doesn't matter how relaxed the rules are in NM because

1.) you won't find any ammo for a gun purchased in this state, and

2.) good luck finding somewhere to practice besides a gun range, unless of course you want to search for that wee-little slice of BLM land that still exists and isn't being visited by mountain bikers, photographers, or other permanent NM vacationers...

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by kobeek

Are you sure about that Rich? Because I went to the gun show at the Lujan Bldg in June, and the guy there told me that EVERYONE selling had to run background checks. Maybe it's not a state law, but they seem to be enforcing it at the gun shows, maybe just on a "per show" basis.

Yes, "In New Mexico there is no state requirement that a criminal background check be done on people buying guns at gun shows if they are sold by "private" individuals or gun "collectors". Gun shows can operate on a "no questions asked, cash-and-carry" basis. No records are required to be kept on gun show sales by private individuals or gun collectors.".

They most likely had dealers who held Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL).

Federal law generally requires that licensed firearms dealers conduct a background check on all prospective firearms purchasers to ensure that such persons are not prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm. This background check requirement was enacted through the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

The gun shows can require background checks on all purchases if they want to.

References:

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Legal Community Against Violence

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/NMSL.pdf

Rich

[songinthewind7]

I think that anyone that owns or buys a gun should be required to take a class on how to use one and the law should be that there be a background check. Scary that there isn't.

[rybert]

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Chaparral

A handy reference for NM gun laws can be found here.

General synopsis (handguns):
Permit required for purchase? No
Background check? Yes (Federal)
Firearm registration? No
Owner licensing? No
Concealed Carry Allowed? Yes (with permit)

I think my answer to your question ("...is NM really way too laid back with gun laws?) would be "no". This is just my opinion, but I believe the laws are pretty much the way they should be. Also, I'm pretty sure the NM laws don't vary much from those set by the state of Virginia, although local municipalities may be more restrictive.

Chap

Wow, for a blue state those laws are good. How hard is it to get a concealed carry permit?

[honu1]

This will give you the basics:
New Mexico DPS | Concealed & Carry Information

[BlueRose]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

How hard is it to get a concealed carry permit?

The Zia Rifle and Pistol club has a good program. The man that teaches it is very knowledgeable and very nice. Additionally, they offer lots of other programs and activities. I cant say enough good things about them. The womens class I took was an unbelievable good value. So much info- two days worth for $35.

[veggggies]

Originally Posted by GregW

A lot of guns have been registered when they were first sold but heirloon antiques probably were not. I have heard the federales have been trying to get all the old sales registrations into a computer data base but I expect they will be as good at that as FEMA was in New Orleans.

Please Remember that responsible gun control is:

Pick a legitimate target and hit it with the first shot.

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by kobeek

2.) good luck finding somewhere to practice besides a gun range, unless of course you want to search for that wee-little slice of BLM land that still exists and isn't being visited by mountain bikers, photographers, or other permanent NM vacationers...

I resent that remark. And I own guns.