SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s call for increased gun safety measures is taking shape as lawmakers in a House committee examined potential amendments to New Mexico’s existing red flag law. This legislative move represents one of the less contentious gun safety bills this session, focusing on refining the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act in effect since 2020.
The law empowers New Mexicans to petition judges to authorize law enforcement to seize firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others, with the ultimate goal of averting potential gun-related tragedies. However, a recent legislative report revealed that the law has been utilized only 48 times since its enactment, predominantly in Bernalillo County.
Democratic state representatives Joy Garratt and Christine Chandler are spearheading a proposal to streamline and enhance the law’s effectiveness. Their suggested changes include expanding the pool of individuals eligible to file removal requests to encompass health care professionals and law enforcement officers.
Additionally, the proposed amendments aim to expedite the removal process by eliminating the existing 48-hour time limit for gun retrieval. Law enforcement, under the revised legislation, would be compelled to act promptly upon receiving a judge’s order. The proposed changes also introduce a requirement for individuals to specifically request the return of confiscated firearms.
Despite these alterations, the sponsors emphasize that the law remains targeted at extreme situations involving individuals in crisis, such as those who have threatened suicide. They stress that law-abiding gun owners are not impacted by the proposed adjustments.
As anticipated, the proposal encountered rigorous scrutiny from Republican committee members John Block and Stefani Lord, staunch opponents of gun control bills. The duo spent over an hour dissecting the intricacies of the proposed changes during Tuesday’s session, prompting tensions within the committee.
Committee chair Joanne Ferrary worked to steer the discussion, culminating in more than two hours of meticulous debate and questioning. Ultimately, the committee approved the proposed amendments along party lines, with four Democrats in favor and two Republicans opposing.
The bill now advances to the House Judiciary Committee, where it is likely to face another robust debate. In the final 30 minutes of the session, the same House committee, also along party lines, approved a new proposal empowering the state to file lawsuits against gun manufacturers accused of engaging in deceptive sale practices.