Santa Fe, NM ' Two bills sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry were signed into law today by Gov. Susana Martinez.

HB 72, or "Jaydon's Law," gives judges access to the full criminal histories of violent repeat offenders. The bill is named for Jaydon Chavez-Silver, an Albuquerque teen who was killed during a drive-by shooting while at a house party.

"Judges need this information to make good pre-trial decisions and keep our communities safe," Gentry said. "As a former prosecutor, Governor Martinez understands the importance of this legislation, and I'm pleased she has signed it into law. It is a great victory for New Mexico."

The second bill, HB 336, will prevent individuals who may pose a threat to the community from purchasing firearms. It requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to report additional information to the FBI for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to make background checks used for firearm purchases more accurate and comprehensive. The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Reps. Nate Gentry, Paul Pacheco, Bill Rehm and Stephanie Garcia Richard as well as Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto.

"We needed this law on the books to bring New Mexico into compliance with federal law," Gentry said. "Now New Mexico will be able to apply for federal grants to help courts collect information and maintain their records. This law will also prevent individuals who have been deemed by the courts to be a danger to themselves or the community from buying guns."

The law directs the AOC to send the FBI information on court proceedings pertaining to a person's eligibility to own a firearm or ammunition as well as changes and updates to a person's eligibility. The AOC will also be required to report information on court orders, judgments or verdicts regarding an individual who is found by the court to be severely mentally ill or is committed to a mental institution.

The law requires the AOC to notify a person if they have been found by the court to have a firearms-related disability that they are not eligible to own a firearm or ammunition and allow them to petition the court to have their eligibility restored.

In addition, HB 336 authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create a centralized criminal database to consolidate criminal records information currently housed in several different locations. The database would provide a central information clearinghouse for New Mexico courts and law enforcement agencies. Gentry also secured $600,000 in the FY2017 budget for DPS to begin work on database.