New Mexico Dems Hit the Gas on Gun Control Bills in Final Days of Session

The 2025 legislative session in Santa Fe, New Mexico is supposed to conclude at noon on Saturday, and in the final 48 hours anti-gun Democrats are making a major push to bring multiple gun control bills to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham; among them a bill that would outlaw the sale of almost every semi-automatic rifle available to consumers. 

Late on Tuesday the New Mexico State Senate narrowly approved SB 318 on a 21-18 vote, sending the bill to the House where it’s scheduled for its first hearing in the Judiciary Committee later today. The legislation, billed as “Firearms In Unsafe Practices Act”, would enable frivolous lawsuits against gun makers and sellers in the state by allowing individuals to sue companies over “unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable trade practices”. This is an attempt to get around the federal protections of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and would open the door for litigation from both private actors and the state’s Attorney General based on nothing more than the marketing and advertising material of gun companies, third party vendors, and FFLs. 

Actual quote from SB318: “Proof of monetary damage, loss of profits or intent to deceive or take unfair advantage of any person is not required.” SB318 allows people with no damages to sue a gun store. Only the firearms industry would have this liability. #nmpol #nmleg #2a https://t.co/Ejh5Er0SBq

— NM Shooting Sports Association (@NM_SSA) March 19, 2025

While the Senate has already approved SB 318, the bill banning all gas-operated semi-automatic firearms that can accept a detachable magazine is still a step away from the Senate floor, but it too is on the move. 

The gas operated firearm and magazine ban, SB279, has been scheduled for the Senate Finance Committee tomorrow, it is first on the agenda. No time for the committee start has been given. #2a #nmpol #nmleg

— NM Shooting Sports Association (@NM_SSA) March 19, 2025

In addition to banning the sale and manufacture of almost every semi-automatic long gun on the market, SB 279 requires existing owners to “certify” that they lawfully possessed the firearm before the ban took effect; essentially setting up a gun registry of those New Mexicans who own a modern sporting rifle. 

SB 279 also bans the sale and purchase of “large capacity” ammunition magazines; defined in the bill as any mag that can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. 

As a sign of their grassroots strength, @Everytown is now using bot accounts to push for their gun grab in NM. Real New Mexicans don’t want SB279. #2a #nmpol #nmleg https://t.co/VPtwibyysR

— NM Shooting Sports Association (@NM_SSA) March 18, 2025

SB 279 is even worse that SB 3 in Colorado, which has been amended to allow residents to continue to purchase and possess commonly-produced semi-automatic long guns so long as they obtain a permit-to-purchase from their local sheriff after taking a firearms training course. Both bills are an infringement on our right to keep and bear arms, but the New Mexico bill hasn’t been watered down nearly as much as its Colorado cousin. 

There’s going to be mad rush in the Roundhouse to pass dozens of bills in the remaining days of the legislative session, and action on these gun control bills could come quickly. Though 2A groups are already prepping for lawsuits if these measures do get signed into law by Lujan Grisham, New Mexico gun owners should be contacting their House and Senate members now to demand they vote “no” on these attacks on our fundamental civil rights.