NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A bill that would create a waiting period for gun purchasers has passed the New Mexico Senate. The vote was 23 to 18.
House Bill 129 was amended three times. The waiting period was introduced as 14 days but was changed to 7 days. Also, if the required background check hasn’t been completed within 20 days, the gun seller can transfer the firearm to the buyer.
“As a lifetime gun owner and as somebody who respects the second amendment and my rights, it’s incumbent upon me and those of us who are gun owners to lead whatever changes are going to take place,” said Senate sponsor Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces). “We can’t be the ones who continue to say no to everything. It’s on us.”
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“It was a disingenuous and demeaning debate tonight,” said Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte). “Not only did Senate Democrats reject all three of our reasonable amendments, but they belittled the lived and real danger facing New Mexicans because of this law.”