ARS Applauds the New Mexico Senate For Advancing Lifesaving Bill That Would Prevent Domestic Abusers From Possessing Firearms

March 4, 2017 — Today, the New Mexico Senate passed Senate Bill 259, which prohibits people subject to domestic violence protective orders from possessing firearms and establishes a process for domestic abusers to physically relinquish their firearms. Americans for Responsible Solutions, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly issued the following statements applauding this development:

OVERVIEW OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & CURRENT NEW MEXICO LAW

In 2010, New Mexico had the seventh-highest rate of women being killed by men—the majority of which occur with a firearm. Children are killed by guns at a rate almost 60 percent higher than the national average. Of the 123 domestic violence homicides in New Mexico from 2003 to 2012, more than one-half of the victims—50.4 percent—were killed with guns. Firearms accounted for the murders of 143 women in New Mexico from 2002 to 2011.

New Mexico currently follows federal law and requires background checks for firearm purchases at federally licensed firearms dealers. However, New Mexico does NOT require background checks for purchases from unlicensed dealers, including at gun shows and online. In addition, out of state residents are permitted to buy firearms in New Mexico. Unlike federal law, existing New Mexico law does not prohibit individuals with a domestic violence protective order from possessing a firearm, nor does it outline a procedure for ensuring that firearms are physically surrendered.