Bills would help prevent gun violence & increase penalty for aggravated battery on a peace officer

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to make it easier for law enforcement to temporarily suspend access to firearms for those deemed a threat to themselves or others by a vote of 41-27.

House Bill 12 would make New Mexico's existing Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order, or "Red Flag Law," easier to navigate for both law enforcement and individuals so that it can be more effectively enforced.

"New Mexico's red flag law is already saving lives by keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of those who are a significant risk to themselves or the people around them," said sponsor Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque). "Today, we are making the changes that law enforcement officers have asked for to make the process more efficient and effective, so we can save even more lives."

"House Bill 12 empowers law enforcement to act quickly to remove dangerous weapons from those who pose a threat to themselves, family members, or neighbors," said sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). "This is a meaningful step we can take right away to better protect the people of New Mexico from gun violence."
The bill is also sponsored by Senators Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) and Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque). Supporters of HB 12 include New Mexico State Police, local law enforcement agencies from Farmington to Dona Aña County, and many community advocacy organizations.
The House also passed legislation today to increase the penalty for aggravated battery on a peace officer to a second-degree felony. House Bill 103 advanced by a vote of 66-1.

This session, House and Senate Democrats are working together to improve community safety by reducing gun violence, deterring violent crime, and making record investments in behavioral health and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans help they need when they need it.

The legislature has already sent Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3, which would expand access to behavioral healthcare across the state, and an integrated public safety package, House Bill 8, to the Governor to be signed into law.

HB 8 incorporates six targeted public safety measures, including legislation to:

Crack down on fentanyl trafficking,
Deter mass shooting threats,
Enhance penalties for repeat offenders of vehicle thefts,
Improve enforcement of DWI laws,
Ban weapon conversion devices,
Expand options for how our criminal justice system assists individuals suffering from serious mental or behavioral health issues by creating more pathways to get them appropriate levels of treatment.

Additionally, House Bill 2, the state budget, which passed the House Floor yesterday, includes:

$10 million to build the capacity of local law enforcement agencies, including expanding rural facilities, funding transportation, and addressing regional public safety needs
$4 million for law enforcement recruitment and retention
Significant funding for state police raises, vehicles, equipment, and repairs
$5.7 million to address the backlog of DNA cases at state crime laboratories
A 17.6% increase, amounting to $8.8 million, to the Administrative Office of the Courts, including funding to consolidate statewide pretrial services into a unified program
$3 million for behavioral health practicums to build our behavioral healthcare workforce
$200 million to improve behavioral healthcare infrastructure and regional access to care

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.