New Mexico: "N.M. passes concealed weapons act for handguns"

[cuchulainn]

from the Daily Lobo

http://www.dailylobo.com/news/411572.html

Current Issue: Tuesday, April 8, 2003
N.M. passes concealed weapons act for handguns
The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexicans age 25 and older can be licensed to carry a concealed, loaded handgun starting next year under legislation signed into law Monday by Gov. Bill Richardson.
“This is a crime reduction measure that I have supported throughout my career in Congress and during the campaign,†Richardson said in a written statement. “This historic legislation will deter criminals and provide our people with additional measures to protect themselves and their families from violent, criminal attacks.â€
The concealed handgun law takes effect July 1 and allows the Department of Public Safety to start issuing licenses next year.
To qualify for a permit, New Mexicans must pay a $100 application fee, complete an approved firearms training course of at least 15 hours and pass a criminal background check.
The state can issue a two-year license that applies only to a specific caliber of handgun and type — semi-automatic or not. An applicant will be required to complete a firearms training course for that caliber and category of handgun.
Under current law, New Mexicans can legally carry loaded guns if they’re in plain view — with some exceptions — and concealed guns if they’re unloaded.
It’s also legal to have a loaded gun in a vehicle.
The law prohibits a concealed handgun license for people with criminal convictions, including drunken driving within the past five years, misdemeanor assault or battery, and misdemeanor possession of drugs. It’s already illegal for felons to possess a firearm.
But carrying a concealed, loaded handgun is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by six months in jail and a $500 fine.
A concealed-carry law was enacted in 2001, but no licenses were ever issued because of a court challenge.
The state Supreme Court invalidated the law last year because of a local option provision that allowed cities and counties to ban concealed weapons. The court said that violated a prohibition in the state Constitution against cities and counties regulating guns.
According to the National Rifle Association, New Mexico becomes the 34th state to legalize the carrying of concealed, loaded handguns.

<snipped> stuff about minimum wage

©2002 Daily Lobo

 

[Desert Dog]

I think it is a total waste of time.

I will continue to carry my SP unloaded in one pocket, and a speed loader full of 125 gr HP's in the other...

Several liberal idiots in our house here in NM...

Mike

 

[F4GIB]

Must be age 25
2 days of training
Catagory & caliber specific
2 year permit for $100.

This, in a state where unlicensed carry was a $25 fine offense?

The NRA declares victory and gets another state on its map.
I'll bet NRA backs Richardson for Senator at some point.

New Mexico residents get screwed.

 

[M1911]

Any chance of non-resident carry with this law?

 

[Leatherneck]

Is this a shall-issue, or may-issue law?

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[dev_null]

Logic?!

What in the world is the point of the specific caliber/type restriction? Do they really think that if you tested OK on a 1911 in .45 that you can't use a BHP in 9mm, much less a Ruger Redhawk in .357? OK, it's better than nothing, but it's a BS law. Now that you've got the foot in the door, you need to work on the next revisions to it...

-0-

 

[AJ Dual]

I agree that it stinks. The original $25 fine misdemeanor for carry sounds like it was an almost Vermont style system except for officer and DA discretion.

However, that discretion can be a dangerous thing.

25 years old?

What, 18 year olds old enough to vote, or die in the military don't have the right to defend themselves from crime too?

But, it looks like heaven compared to what we have here in WI. Which for now, is squat. It's supposed to be as close to a sure bet for WI that it's ever been this year, and I'll do my part with letters and calls etc. but I won't believe it untill it's law

And I suppose that the New Mexico proponents figure that they can nickle-and dime the CCW laws over time back to some semblance of reasonableness that other states have, like 21 years old (still but better...), and no caliber and make restrictions...

Perhaps we've learned a thing or two from the grabbers, time will tell...

 

[another okie]

So what is the penalty under the new law for unlicensed carry? Still the $25 or did they raise it? Here in Oklahoma they sneaked through in the carry bill the provision that unlicensed carry, formerly a misdemeanor, is now a felony.
And what about that reciprocity? Speak up, New Mexicans.