New Mexico has a Loophole in State Law that Allows Felons, Domestic Abusers and Other Dangerous People to Obtain Guns from Unlicensed Sellers, No Background Check, No Questions Asked
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Las Cruces City Council for passing a city-wide resolution urging elected leaders in the state to close the background check loophole in New Mexico and pass a law that would require criminal background checks on all gun sales. Under current New Mexico law, felons, domestic abusers and other dangerous people are able to buy guns from unlicensed sellers – including people they meet online and at gun shows – with no background check, no questions asked. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have acted to close this loophole.
STATEMENT FROM ANNA RANSOM, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE NEW MEXICO CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We applaud the Las Cruces City Council for showing true leadership and commitment to saving lives from gun violence in New Mexico by urging our leaders in Santa Fe to close our state’s background check loophole in the next legislative session. Right now, dangerous people can obtain a gun in our state with no background check and no questions asked. The research shows that requiring a criminal background check on all gun sales is the single most effective way to keep guns out of dangerous hands and save lives. That’s why we are calling on our leaders to take action and close this deadly loophole – the safety of our families and communities depends on it.”
Background checks are proven to help prevent crime and save lives. In states with background checks on all handgun sales, 46 percent fewer women are killed by intimate partners, there are 48 percent fewer gun suicides, and 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns.
The resolution has received support throughout the state, including from Progress New Mexico, whose supporters were in attendance at the City Council hearing today with the New Mexico chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.