Lawmakers in New Mexico are proposing stricter regulations for firearms dealers, triggering a debate between state officials and gun store owners. The move comes amid concerns over guns used in crimes and the safety of communities across the state.
Keith Bledsoe, co-owner of Rose’s Guns and More, LLC, in Moriarty, said the new proposals could burden small business owners. He noted that existing laws already give authorities the tools to catch illegal activity.
“It just puts a big stranglehold on us,” Bledsoe said, referencing regulations already in place. He described an incident involving a customer attempting multiple purchases. “I only had one guy actually try that. And I said, ‘Dude, you know, you’re going to get written up for multiple sales,’” Bledsoe said.
Bledsoe added that the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco (ATF) immediately flags such attempts, and he would never allow a sale that violated the law.
Despite these assurances, state Democrats argue that more must be done to prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands. “The fact that we’re allowing this to continue to happen in our communities is alarming,” said Rep. Andrea Romero, who supports new legislation for firearms dealers.
Democrats are drawing on data from Everytown for Gun Safety to craft the new proposals. A 2023 report by the group, which used federal ATF data, found that 4,847 guns recovered from crimes in New Mexico had been traced to licensed dealers in the state. More than 75% of these firearms originated from legal sales, though some were later diverted illegally.
Sen. Heather Berghmans said the legislation would focus on increasing security at gun stores, improving inventory tracking, and ensuring employees receive proper training. “We really want to focus on the adoption of security measures for these dealers, accurate tracking of their inventory, and training for their employees,” Berghmans said.
Republican lawmakers have also voiced concerns, though they emphasize different priorities. Sen. Crystal Brantley urged more focus on repeat offenders and juvenile crime. “When are they going to start demanding increased oversight of the repeat criminals that keep plaguing New Mexico?” Brantley said.
Store owners like Bledsoe remain wary of the proposals, arguing that they could make operating a small business more difficult. “Enforce the laws we have. We’ve got enough. They can get anybody for anything they want if they use the laws that they have on the books,” he said.
The debate over gun store regulations in New Mexico reflects a wider national conversation about balancing public safety and the rights of legal gun owners. Lawmakers pushing for stricter rules say that modernizing oversight could prevent firearms from being stolen, illegally sold, or used in violent crimes.
Meanwhile, gun store owners emphasize that they already follow strict federal and state regulations. They argue that additional rules could create unnecessary costs, reduce staffing flexibility, and place extra burdens on small businesses.
The proposed legislation is expected to include measures such as mandatory security upgrades, stricter reporting requirements for unusual transactions, and enhanced employee training. Lawmakers also hope that improving oversight could reduce the number of crime guns traced back to licensed dealers.
Critics of the proposal, however, warn that without targeting the criminal networks that obtain guns illegally, stricter dealer regulations may have limited impact. They argue that law enforcement should focus on repeat offenders and illegal firearm trafficking while using existing laws to hold stores accountable.
The debate is ongoing, and New Mexico residents are closely watching lawmakers as they consider changes that could affect both public safety and small business operations across the state.
