Two other measures dealing with access to firearms also advanced as New Mexico, which has one of the nation’s highest gun ownership rates, moved closer to enshrining new gun laws after years of debate.
A spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who took office in January, said the governor supports all three bills and is hopeful the background check legislation will arrive at her desk soon so she can sign it into law, Albuquerque Journal reports.
- Senate Bill 8 – Require background checks be conducted before nearly all gun sales. Passed the Senate, headed to House floor.
- House Bill 83 – Allow court-ordered seizures of guns from individuals deemed to pose an immediate danger. Passed the House, headed to second Senate committee.
- House Bill 87 – Bar those convicted of a domestic violence offense from having a gun. Passed the House, headed to second Senate committee.
The gun-related measures have drawn opposition from all but a few of the state’s 33 county sheriffs. In addition, at least 24 counties have passed “Second Amendment sanctuary” ordinances in opposition to the legislation pending at the Roundhouse.
The sheriffs and their supporters say the bills infringe upon gun-owners’ rights and are unenforceable, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, disputes.
SHERIFFS’ RESOLUTIONS
Sheriffs began presenting the draft resolutions for “Second Amendment Sanctuaries” to their county commissioners more than two weeks ago.
The resolutions overall say officials would violate their oaths of office by enforcing a state law in violation of the U.S. or state constitution. New Mexico elected officials generally take oaths pledging to uphold both constitutions and state laws.
Counties with jails also could potentially decline to book suspects arrested on the charges by state or local police in their detention centers.
Officials in rural counties where the resolutions have passed say they took action with overwhelming support from constituents.
“We cannot legislate evil out of men’s hearts,” said San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari during a Saturday meeting of the Senate Public Affairs Committee.
It’s unclear whether such ordinances would stand up in court if challenged, and some law enforcement agencies – including the Albuquerque Police Department – are supporting the background check measure.
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