Santa Fe, NM - Today, Senate Democrats passed the knowingly unconstitutional Senate Bill 17 in the New Mexico State Senate by a vote of (21-17). Despite fierce debate from Senate Republicans, this measure now advances to the House of Representatives. In an attempt to eliminate the bill's most blatantly unconstitutional section, Republicans proposed to strike section 7 of SB 17– the section that effectively bans most semi-automatic rifles, magazines with a capacity higher than 10 rounds, and all .50 caliber rifles. However, Senate Democrats voted against this measure, ensuring the bill's worst components remained. 

In reaction to the passage of SB 17, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has issued the following statement: 

"Today, Democrats in Santa Fe decided that the rights of New Mexicans to protect themselves and their families should be eliminated. Listen to the words they say, they have repeatedly admitted this bill is unconstitutional, yet they are forcing it upon law-abiding citizens. New Mexicans deserve to be represented by elected officials who take their oaths of office seriously, not by activists who hate our Constitution and who promote fringe radical policies designed to undermine the very foundation of our Nation." 

In addition to criminalizing certain types of firearms, this legislation also attempts to overregulate local and small business owners in the firearm retail industry who already follow strict federal guidelines. 

"This is nothing but a backdoor ban on our right to bear arms," said Walter Bracken, the owner of BMC Tactical in Albuquerque. "Progressives in Santa Fe know they can't outright repeal the Second Amendment, so instead they're trying to destroy the small businesses that support it. By placing unreasonable restrictions on our small businesses, they are ensuring that the only people with guns in New Mexico will be the ones who buy them on the black market, where no background checks are ever run." 

"Every day at BMC Tactical, we serve veterans, law enforcement officers, and women and families who follow every law to exercise their rights responsibly. This nonsense legislation treats these citizens like threats and licensed dealers like accessories to crime—all while criminals throughout New Mexico ignore every law on the books."