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http://www.santafenewmexican.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=25504&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1
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Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Gov. Bill Richardson Signs Concealed-Handgun Measure
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 - semiautomatic or not. An applicant will be required to complete a firearms-training course for that caliber and category of handgun.
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 firearms.
Under existing 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.
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 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.
The governor also signed into law a measure to increase the state minimum wage to $5.15 an hour, matching the federal rate. The state rate is $4.25 an hour.
The state minimum wage applies to about 5,000 workers, mainly in small businesses exempt from the federal minimum-wage law, according to the state Labor Department. The new wage law takes effect June 20.
Former Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, vetoed similar proposals to raise the state minimum wage.
“One of my most important economic-development goals is to raise wages for all New Mexicans,†Richardson said.
Reader Comments
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Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Steven P. Adams
Thank god, and thank you governor Richardson. I'm glad to see that there are denocrats that actualy see the value of law abiding citizons being able to defend themselves, there families and comunites. Even though I disagre with the ristriction on a single Caliber, it's better than nothing!
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Kennith Cline
Thank you Gov Bill Richardson. You need to try to talk some sense into the head of the Missouri Governor. (Maybe that is not possible) I hop Missouri follows your example.
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Hugh Coombs
Good article. No apparent anti-gun bias. Unfortunately there is still too much anti-gun propaganda going around today. The facts directly contradict the arguments of the Anti-gun people, and they will stand there and spout their rhetoric endlessly. In every state that has gone to a "shall Issue" license law for concealed carry, the results have been outstandingly positive. The violent crime rates are the first to drop. When the BGs (bad guys) find that their risk of being shot by their proposed victim is greatly increased they switch to other less violent kinds of crime. Thank you again for the honest unbiased reporting.
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Jim Greaves
It is absurd to consider it a victory when we "let" the government usurp our individual choice in the matter, and allow them to license "the right to keep and bear arms [which] shall not be infringed"! We lose rights when we accept that government may regulate "unalienable rights" that have their precedent before that government was even instituted among us - especially when governments are limited in the powers they have by our state constitutions and the Federal Constitution ("the supreme law of the land"). Thank you for letting me vent.
Article Comment Form
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Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Gov. Bill Richardson Signs Concealed-Handgun Measure
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 - semiautomatic or not. An applicant will be required to complete a firearms-training course for that caliber and category of handgun.
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 firearms.
Under existing 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.
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 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.
The governor also signed into law a measure to increase the state minimum wage to $5.15 an hour, matching the federal rate. The state rate is $4.25 an hour.
The state minimum wage applies to about 5,000 workers, mainly in small businesses exempt from the federal minimum-wage law, according to the state Labor Department. The new wage law takes effect June 20.
Former Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, vetoed similar proposals to raise the state minimum wage.
“One of my most important economic-development goals is to raise wages for all New Mexicans,†Richardson said.
Reader Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Steven P. Adams
Thank god, and thank you governor Richardson. I'm glad to see that there are denocrats that actualy see the value of law abiding citizons being able to defend themselves, there families and comunites. Even though I disagre with the ristriction on a single Caliber, it's better than nothing!
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Kennith Cline
Thank you Gov Bill Richardson. You need to try to talk some sense into the head of the Missouri Governor. (Maybe that is not possible) I hop Missouri follows your example.
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Hugh Coombs
Good article. No apparent anti-gun bias. Unfortunately there is still too much anti-gun propaganda going around today. The facts directly contradict the arguments of the Anti-gun people, and they will stand there and spout their rhetoric endlessly. In every state that has gone to a "shall Issue" license law for concealed carry, the results have been outstandingly positive. The violent crime rates are the first to drop. When the BGs (bad guys) find that their risk of being shot by their proposed victim is greatly increased they switch to other less violent kinds of crime. Thank you again for the honest unbiased reporting.
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Article comment by: Jim Greaves
It is absurd to consider it a victory when we "let" the government usurp our individual choice in the matter, and allow them to license "the right to keep and bear arms [which] shall not be infringed"! We lose rights when we accept that government may regulate "unalienable rights" that have their precedent before that government was even instituted among us - especially when governments are limited in the powers they have by our state constitutions and the Federal Constitution ("the supreme law of the land"). Thank you for letting me vent.
Article Comment Form