The 2021 Legislative Session Ends in 8 Days and Gun Safety is Still on the Table. Here’s What You Need to Know.

With eight days left in the legislative session, the time to move on gun safety is now. Lawmakers still have an opportunity to pass several life-saving gun safety bills that are on their desks. New Mexico has the seventh highest rate of gun deaths in the country, one of the highest rates of nonfatal gun injuries in the country, and the highest rate of gun deaths among Latino people in the country. 

Gun violence prevention is more important than ever this year as the pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence, and after a year of increased gun sales, continued police violence, increased risk of suicide and domestic violence, and an increase in city gun violence.

More information about gun safety in the legislature:

• HB 4, legislation to eliminate qualified immunity in the state and create accountability for police misconduct. Between 2016 and 2020, New Mexico had the second highest rate of people killed by police in the country. The bill recently passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits a vote on the Senate floor.
• HB 224, legislation to require that firearms be securely stored. In 2020, unintentional shootings increased by 17% in Albuquerque. With millions of children and teens home from school and gun sales surging during the pandemic, secure gun storage is more important than ever. Last month, the bill was passed out of the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee. 
• HB 227, legislation to ensure transparency and encourage police accountability. According to Mapping Police Violence 164 people have been shot and killed by police between 2013 and 2020 in New Mexico and that, nationally, 98% of killings by police between 2013-2020 have not resulted in an officer being charged. The bill waiting for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Additional information on gun violence in New Mexico is available here, and Everytown’s Gun Law Navigator — which shows how New Mexico’s gun laws compare to those of other states — is available here. 

To speak with a policy expert or New Mexico Moms Demand Action and/or Students Demand Action volunteers, please do not hesitate to reach out.