Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 129, mandating a seven-day waiting period for all firearm purchases in the state. The bill, passed with a vote of 37-33, marks a significant move in the state’s approach to gun control and has garnered mixed reactions from lawmakers and the public.
The House Bill 129 was originally intended to introduce a 14-day waiting period, but an amendment proposed by Rep. Art De La Cruz, D-Albuquerque, successfully reduced it to seven days. The amendment passed narrowly with a 35-34 vote, reflecting the contentious nature of the bill. This reduction was seen as a compromise by some Democratic lawmakers, although it did not sway opposition from the Republican side.
The bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, emphasized that the waiting period is intended to prevent temporary moments of crisis from turning into tragedies. She highlighted the bill’s potential to allow for more thorough background checks and its effectiveness in reducing gun violence. Research has shown that waiting periods can reduce firearm suicides by up to 11% and firearm homicides by up to 17%, as backed by data from FBI experts.