• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Hb 77 re-incarnated – same song, second verse:

steveaikens

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Clovis, New Mexico, USA
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE STILL CONTAINS OBAMA-STYLE BAN/REGULATION OF PRIVATE GUN TRANSFERS

Act TODAY to Stop Passage of New Version of House Gun Control Bill!

The proposed method in House Bill 77 has been changed, but the gun control advocates’ end-game remains the same: universal regulation of private firearms transfers. The newly-released committee substitute for HB 77 would make it a crime for a private individual to transfer his or her legally-owned firearm without going through a federal firearm licensed dealer (FFL) to conduct a background check on the transferee. Exceptions are made for only certain categories of individuals – family members, domestic partners, stepchildren, foster or adopted children, or persons who live in the same residence and maintain a single economic unit. However, the provisions in HB 77 would still apply to gun sales, gifts, loans, rentals or trades between friends, neighbors, co-workers or more-distant relatives. These restrictions would not apply to temporary transfers during hunting or target practice, but the possible breadth and scope of the legislation is endless.

Even though the vast majority of vendors at most gun shows are FFLs and already conducting background checks on gun sales, under this proposal, individuals looking to sell or trade a firearm from their personal collection at these events would also be forced to go through an FFL before transferring their lawfully-owned personal property. Gun show promoters would be required to arrange for one or more FFLs to be present at such events to conduct required background checks or be subject to criminal penalties.

While HB 77 establishes that FFLs may charge a fee for conducting these checks for third parties, there is no limit to what that charge could possibly be. Additionally, there is no immunity from liability provided to FFLs who conduct background checks for third parties, either at their retail establishment or at gun shows, or for private sellers who enlist the services of an FFL to comply with the provisions of HB 77.

Even though they have already undergone the same background check required by HB 77 before being issued a license, New Mexico Concealed Handgun Licensees are not exempt from the restrictions imposed by HB 77. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has repeatedly denied requests from individual lawmakers and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to grant New Mexico CHLs a waiver from the background check conducted when purchasing a firearm from an FFL.

Enactment of HB 77 would actually reduce the penalty for unlawful transfer of a firearm to a prohibited individual. Under federal law, it is a felony for any private individual to sell, trade, give, lend, rent or transfer a gun to a person he or she knows or should have known is not legally allowed to purchase or possess a firearm. We already know that federal law is rarely – if ever – enforced, so this bill would create the same crime in New Mexico statute, but make it a misdemeanor.

Once again, this latest version of HB 77 fails to recognize that criminals acquire firearms predominantly through theft, black market sales, and straw purchases – all illegal transfers currently. Rarely do they purchase firearms through legal channels. On the rare occasion that they do, they are almost never prosecuted. The only individuals who will be impacted by the bureaucratic and onerous requirements in this proposed legislation are law-abiding citizens. HB 77 contains no enforcement mechanisms and actually reduces the penalties for violators.

The public policy focus of state lawmakers should be on improving the accuracy and quality of information compiled in the NICS system – specifically, disqualifying state mental health records – and aggressively prosecuting violators of federal firearms laws.

The House Judiciary Committee will consider the committee substitute to HB 77 on Monday, February 4, at 1:30pm (or upon adjournment of the House) in Room 309 of the State Capitol in Santa Fe. It is critical that we pack the hearing room to show strong opposition to these far-reaching restrictions. Continue contacting the committee members below and urging them to OPPOSE HB 77 in its most current form. Please also contact your own State Representative and let them know where you stand!

To determine your state lawmaker and obtain their contact information, http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx.

For more information from NRA-ILA on restrictions on private transfers, http://www.nraila.org/privatesales.

House Judiciary Committee

Rep. Gail Chasey, Chair (D-ABQ)

505-986-4412

gail@gailchasey.com

Rep. Georgene Louis, Vice-Chair (D-ABQ)

505-986-4464

georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov

Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon (D-Milan)

505-986-4844

eliseoalcon@msn.com

Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad)

505-986-4248

cath@cathrynnbrown.com

Rep. Zach Cook (R-Ruidoso)

505-986-4452

zachjcook@gmail.com

Rep. Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe)

505-986-4423

brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov

Rep. Kelly Fajardo (R-Belen)

505-986-4220

kelly@kellyfajardo.com

Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-ABQ *sponsor of the measure*)

505-986-4327

miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov

Rep. Nate Gentry (R-ABQ)

505-986-4757

natefornm@gmail.com

Rep. Emily Kane (D-ABQ)

505-986-4464

emilykane4nm@gmail.com

Rep. Moe Maestas (D-ABQ)

505-986-4774

rep16@moejustice.com

Rep. Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces)

505-986-4450

docmcmillan@gmail.com

Rep. Paul Pacheco (R-ABQ)

505-986-4214

Rep. Bill Rehm (R-ABQ)

505-986-4214

bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov

Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-ABQ)

505-986-4243

pat.roybalcaballero@nmlegis.gov

Rep. Mimi Stewart (D-ABQ)

505-986-4842

mimi.stewart@nmlegis.gov


Steve Aikens
 

AH.74

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
443
Location
, ,
More wasted time and energy. I wish they would focus on something that would matter, and could make a real difference.

This is very, very frustrating.
 

steveaikens

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Clovis, New Mexico, USA
We need everyone we can muster to overwhelm the committee meeting again. Our last effort displayed to our legislators that the original version of this onerous bill was unacceptable to us. The changes of the bill noted above are the direct result of our being there, making our voices heard, and demonstrating a visable presence.

The House Judiciary Committee will consider the committee substitute to HB 77 on Monday, February 4, at 1:30pm (or upon adjournment of the House) in Room 309 of the State Capitol in Santa Fe. It is critical that we pack the hearing room to show strong opposition to these far-reaching restrictions. Continue contacting the committee members below and urging them to OPPOSE HB 77 in its most current form. Please also contact your own State Representative and let them know where you stand!

Please try to make it to finally kill this bill.

Steve Aikens
 
Last edited:

.32acp

New member
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
9
Location
santa fe
We need everyone we can muster to overwhelm the committee meeting again. Our last effort displayed to our legislators that the original version of this onerous bill was unacceptable to us. The changes of the bill noted above are the direct result of our being there, making our voices heard, and demonstrating a visable presence.

The House Judiciary Committee will consider the committee substitute to HB 77 on Monday, February 4, at 1:30pm (or upon adjournment of the House) in Room 309 of the State Capitol in Santa Fe. It is critical that we pack the hearing room to show strong opposition to these far-reaching restrictions. Continue contacting the committee members below and urging them to OPPOSE HB 77 in its most current form. Please also contact your own State Representative and let them know where you stand!

Please try to make it to finally kill this bill.

Steve Aikens

will be there

getting conflicting reports. is this happening at 1:30 or 3:30?
 
Last edited:

steveaikens

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Clovis, New Mexico, USA
Good question. On the House side, Committee meetings almost always are scheduled for at 1:30pm (or upon adjournment of the House). Unfortunately, there's no real way to determine any actual starting time in committees - we just have to accept the fact that our legislature is fluid - regardless of attempts to keep it on a schedule.

That said: keep making those calls, sending those emails and where possible, make it to the hearings. This bill is undergoing numerous changes in the Democrats effort to "do something" and the Republicians efforts to minimumize the effects of those efforts. The bill was actually worked on until 9 pm and carried over until Friday. We're still trying to kill it.

Retired Police Officer, Rep Paul A.Pacheco, called it what it is during last nights hearing. "No one seems to want to say it but I will. This bill in nothing more than a feel good piece of legislation that only impacts the law-abiding citizen." Right on the money Representitive.

Continue contacting your legislators and let them know you're watching this bill and simply do not want it to pass in any form. Recommend they pass a bill the requires the current laws to be enforced.

Bear in mind that the Democrats hold the majority in our legislature. If we can just get two of them in the Judiciary Committee to vote with us, the bill dies. Not an easy task. We were able to put just enough doubt in Rep. Alcon's mind that he voted with us last Monday. However, I spoke with him yesterday and he told me he was able to amend the bill to his satisfaction. That puts him in the Democrats corner - not good for us.

Be polite, be respectful, be brief, be direct.

Steve Aikens
 
Last edited:

XDm

Regular Member
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
65
Location
ABQ
These meeting times are taxing on those of us that have to travel but at least they offered us some dinner for a change last night.
 

AH.74

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
443
Location
, ,
Hoping for an update- I didn't see this as an agenda item for today.
 

XDm

Regular Member
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
65
Location
ABQ
just saw the news coverage about it!!

13-3 vote
 
Last edited:

steveaikens

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Clovis, New Mexico, USA
I apologize for the brevity of this information. Working in a hotel on a severely crippled computer but want you to know at least a little about what happened last night.

HB 77 was drilled almost to death from its original form. It did pass House Judiciary.

Bottom line is now only:

Private sales at gun shows will require NICS.
NM Concealed Carry License holders are exempt from private sale NICS.
Language being drafted to require mental health issues to be reported.

The new bill will probably be available on-line Monday or Tuesday.

Next stop is **scheduled** to be House Appropriations and Finance. I believe Garcia will request it be pulled straight to the floor with the claim that it now has no fiscal impact. We're looking at how to prevent that as we do have some issues that do create fiscal impacts.

You'll know, when I know, what the next step is.

I remain committed to killing this bill in any form. It's nothing more than feel good legislation that has no effect on criminals. Somehow our legislators fail to understand the laws they make ONLY affect the law-abiding citizen. Perhaps we can get them to pass a law - that forces them to enforce the laws they've already passed.

Steve Aikens
 
Last edited:

AH.74

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
443
Location
, ,
Private sales at gun shows will require NICS.
NM Concealed Carry License holders are exempt from private sale NICS.

It still doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Two guys meet in the gun show facility somewhere- let's say while walking the aisles, and one of them has a gun the other wants to buy.

What do they need to do? Go to a particular vendor, and pay them to do a transfer? How will this be enforced?

What about this CCL exception- the buyer shows the seller his CCL and they're all good to proceed?
 

XDm

Regular Member
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
65
Location
ABQ
CCL permit holders would still need NICS/FFL check done at big box stores?? Would love to see a statewide exemption with valid CCL from NMDPS.
 

steveaikens

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Clovis, New Mexico, USA
Condensed reply:

Yes, if this bill passes - and we're working our asses off to prevent it from passing - then chl exemption means NM CHL holders are exempt from background checks IN GUN SHOWS - WITH PRIVATE SELLERS ONLY. No change to retail sellers

CHL exemption statewide is being working on but not part of this bill. Exemption in this bill - IF IT PASSES - relates ONLY to private sales in gun show venues.

However - we are NOT through with this bill in any way.

We absolutely intend to kill this bill.

Steve Aikens
 

XDm

Regular Member
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
65
Location
ABQ
Yeah, and Gov. Martinez is ready to sign it in this format if the Senate scoots it along.
 
Top