In recent years, New Mexico has taken important steps to improve its gun laws, but still has significant room for improvement when it comes to fighting gun violence.
In 2019, New Mexico enacted laws requiring a background check for nearly all firearm sales and prohibiting many people subject to domestic violence convictions or court orders from accessing guns. In 2022, New Mexico had the third highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 507 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every 17 hours. Fifty-eight percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 35% are gun homicides. In New Mexico, the rate of gun deaths increased 76% from 2013 to 2022, compared to a 36% increase nationwide.
What New Mexico Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Child access prevention law
What New Mexico Is Missing
- Gun owner licensing
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Strong concealed carry law
- Open carry regulations
- Community violence intervention funding
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
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CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
