Elementary & Secondary Schools

New Mexico generally prohibits possession of a firearm on school premises.¹ School premises are defined as:

• The buildings and grounds, including playgrounds, playing fields and parking areas and any school bus of any public elementary, secondary, junior high or high school in or on which school or school-related activities are being operated under the supervision of a local school board; or

• Any other public buildings or grounds, including playing fields and parking areas that are not public school property, in or on which public school-related and sanctioned activities are being performed.²

The New Mexico Concealed Handgun Carry Act does not allow a concealed handgun licensee to carry a concealed handgun on the premises of a school or preschool.³

In New Mexico, each school district is required to adopt a policy providing for the expulsion from school, for a period of not less than one year, of any student who knowingly brings a firearm to a school under the jurisdiction of the local board.⁴ The local school board or district superintendent may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.⁵

Colleges & Universities

New Mexico generally prohibits the possession of a firearm on the premises of post-secondary educational institutions, such as universities, community colleges, branch community colleges, technical-vocational institutes and area vocational schools.⁶ “Premises” are defined as:

• The buildings and grounds of a university, including playing fields and parking areas of a university, in or on which university or university-related activities are conducted; or

• Any other public buildings or grounds, including playing fields and parking areas that are not university property, in or on which university-related and sanctioned activities are performed.⁷

Exceptions include people conducting or participating in a university-approved program, class or other activity involving the carrying of a firearm, and persons over age 19 on university premises in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for lawful protection of the person’s or another’s person or property.⁸

Universities and colleges must conspicuously post notices on their premises that state that it is unlawful to carry a firearm on such premises.⁹

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

Contact

1. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.1(A).[↩]
2. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.1(B).[↩]
3. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 29-19-8(B), (C).[↩]
4. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-5-4.7(A), (C).[↩]
5. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 22-5-4.7(A).[↩]
6. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.4(A), (C)(1). The University of New Mexico applies disciplinary procedures and sanctions to any visitor who possesses or stores any firearm on university property. N.M. Code R. § 5.60.6.8(L).[↩]
7. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.4(C)(2).[↩]
8. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.4(A).[↩]
9. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-2.4(B).[↩]