Bill > SB244

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm to a Minor" in New Mexico, which makes it illegal for a person to knowingly give a firearm to someone under 19 years old, with several specific exceptions. The exceptions include situations where the minor is participating in hunter safety courses, target shooting at authorized ranges, organized firearm competitions, sanctioned youth performance organizations, legal hunting or trapping activities, or is on property controlled by their parents/guardians and supervised by an adult. The bill defines important terms like "firearm" broadly to include handguns, rifles, and shotguns, and specifies that a mistake about the minor's age is not a valid legal defense. A violation of this law is classified as a second-degree felony, meaning each firearm transferred illegally can be a separate criminal charge. Additionally, the bill amends the state's Racketeering Act to include unlawful transfer of a firearm to a minor as a potential racketeering offense, which can carry enhanced legal penalties. The legislation aims to prevent minors from obtaining firearms in potentially dangerous or unauthorized circumstances while providing reasonable exemptions for supervised and structured firearm-related activities.

Justice

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=244&year=25