Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 05:21:38 -0700 From: jwaldron@HALCYON.COM (Joe Waldron) Subject: NM Governor signs CCW bill To: AZRKBA@asu.edu
URL: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr/294288news04-04-01.htm
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Stadium Loan, Gun Bills OK'd By David Miles Journal Capitol Bureau
SANTA FE Albuquerque could use a state loan to finance a minor- league baseball stadium and New Mexicans will be able to carry concealed loaded handguns under bills signed into law by Gov. Gary Johnson on Tuesday.
Te measures were among about 80 bills that the Republican governor signed Tuesday. Johnson has until Friday to act on more than 200 pending bills.
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Under the gun law, New Mexicans will be able to receive licenses to carry concealed, loaded handguns. "I think it's wonderful," said Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell, R-Rio Rancho, who sponsored the so-called concealed-carry bill. "I hope now women will be able to defend themselves."
As of July 1, when the new law takes effect, New Mexicans may egin to apply for concealed-carry licenses.
The law directs the Department of Public Safety to issue concealed-carry licenses beginning Jan. 1, 2002, to those who pass criminal background checks and complete a firearms training course.
However, the bill gives local governments the option to ban residents from carrying concealed handguns within city and county limits. Such municipalities are required to post signs outside the city or county limits to warn people about the ban on concealed handguns.
Applicants for a concealed carry license have to be 21 years old or older. The license fee will be no more than $100, and a license can be renewed each year for a fee of $50.
The law prohibits individuals from carrying concealed handguns into public buildings, including schools and liquor establishments.
Individuals carrying concealed handguns could face criminal charges and lose their license if they threaten anyone with the weapon.
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When I discussed this with Rep. Russell Tuesday afternoon, she said she already had support lined up and amendments prepared for next year's session to remove the local "opt out" provision and to reduce the fee and extend the life of the license to three or four years.
The NM CCW law is not the best by any measure. But now it's the law, and NM went from "no concealed carry" to right-to-carry. Recall that as most states in the "new wave" of licensing (from Florida on) passed initial restrictive laws, in subsequent sessions they eased the restrictions as legislators learned the "blood in the gutters" scenarios were nothing but anti-gun smoke and mirrors.
Joe W