New Mexico gun control bill would ‘disarm’ average citizens, critics claim
New Mexico Republicans are sounding the alarm over the potential passage of a semiautomatic firearms prohibition law in Santa Fe. The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act, also known as SB 279, is set to ban the import, sale, and possession of these guns, as well as “large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices.” Additionally, the bill includes a provision for the certification of semi-auto weapons and imposes penalties for non-compliance.
Critics of the legislation argue that the focus on gas-operated firearms is a veiled attempt to target guns like the AR-15 without explicitly naming them. They point out that the term “gas power” refers to the mechanism used to reset the gun’s bolt for the next firing, not its lethality. State Rep. Stefani Lord, a vocal opponent of the bill, believes that it will turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight by banning commonly owned firearms and accessories.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a proponent of the bill, defends it as a necessary step to protect the public from the most dangerous firearms and accessories commonly used in mass shootings. She emphasizes that the legislation does not infringe on Second Amendment rights and allows current owners to keep their regulated firearms by filing a simple form with local dealers.
However, State Rep. John Block remains skeptical of the bill, labeling it as part of the “radical agenda of New Mexico Democrats.” He criticizes the vague language of the bill, which he believes gives unelected officials too much power to decide which guns should be outlawed. Block, along with Rep. Lord, previously tried to impeach Governor Lujan Grisham in 2024 over a temporary public health order restricting open carrying of firearms.
Opponents of the bill have been vocal in their opposition, with Matthew Mammoser from the National Association for Gun Rights delivering thousands of petitions against the legislation. House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong expressed willingness to work with Democrats on real solutions to gun violence but criticized the focus on a “radical agenda” instead of addressing pressing issues like healthcare and affordability.
Despite the backlash, the bill’s top sponsor, Senator Micaelita O’Malley, did not respond to requests for comment. The debate surrounding the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act highlights the contentious nature of gun control legislation in New Mexico and the ongoing battle between gun rights advocates and proponents of stricter gun laws.
