Posted: 1/6/2016 1:43:48 PM EDT
Quoted from current Zia Newsletter:
Folks - It's starting again! Even though this year's Legislative Session is the short (30 day) one, the anti's will make every effort to sneak in this onerous bill. I realize that travel to Santa Fe for Committee Hearings is a frustrating situation, but please contact your Senator & Representative several times to let him or her know how you feel. I was in the hearing last year when one Representative related that he had had well over 400 e-mails and phone calls against this bill and only one in favor. Let's do that again! Next year will be tough, but I know we can succeed again! Many thanks! Peter Ide Once again, anti-gun state Representative Miguel Garcia (D-Bernalillo) has pre-filed a measure in the New Mexico Legislature which criminalizes non-dealer firearm transfers at gun shows and takes the first step toward a universal ban on private gun sales. In 2013 and 2014, this legislation was known as House Bill 77; in 2015 it was House Bill 44. The bill number for the 2016 session will be House Bill 51 and you can find a copy of it here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/16%20Regular/bills/house/HB0051.pdf We fully anticipate that anti-gun activists and pro-gun control lawmakers will press for consideration of HB 51 during the 30-day session which begins on January 19 -- even though the Legislature is normally limited to dealing with budget-related items or measures that receive an executive message. That’s why it’s critical that you contact your state Senator and Representative before session begins and urge them to oppose HB 51 and focus instead on the state’s important fiscal matters. Information on how to reach your state lawmakers can be found here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislator_search.aspx. If you are unsure who represents you, you may enter your address here: http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislator_lookup.aspx to find out. Although HB 51 only targets non-dealer sales at gun shows, it is just the first step toward criminalizing ALL private transfers of firearms; in fact, the first version of this bill from the 2013 session did just that if you recall. No background check legislation will never be "universal" since criminals simply ignore the law. And if enacted, gun control advocates will check this scheme off their list and they will march right on toward universal background checks, gun bans and magazine limits -- just like they did in Colorado. |