By Roger Lanse
Several firearms-related bills are in committee in the Roundhouse and could soon be up before the New Mexico House and Senate for a vote. All are more restrictive. Grant County Sheriff Frank Gomez told the Beat that he and the undersheriff are leaving today, Tuesday, Feb. 5, for Santa Fe to make their views on these more restrictive, anti-gun bills known.
Gomez said he has been meeting through email with the New Mexico Sheriffs' Association regarding these bills. He also plans to meet with New Mexico Attorney Hector Balderas on these and other issues.
Basically, Gomez said he is against taking firearms from the homes of law-abiding citizens. "I'm not for the bills," Gomez stated. "Maybe there needs to be more thorough background checks, but as for taking guns away from people, no, sir! It's our constitutional right to have them."
Gomez also stated that perhaps there needed to be more education regarding responsible gun ownership and the safe handling of firearms.
As far as gun shows are concerned, Gomez believes passing these more restrictive gun bills will only affect honest people, that criminals will still be able to get weapons. He agreed that those bent on criminal activity get their weapons on the street and black market, not at gun shows.
Many of these proposed pieces of legislation are really unenforceable, Gomez stated.
