House Passes Important Public Safety Bill
HB 49 increases penalties for serious, violent felons in unlawful possession of a firearm, the latest of House Democrats’ slate of public safety legislation to pass the chamber
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to enhance penalties for individuals who have been convicted of a serious, violent felony and are found in unlawful possession of a firearm. House Bill 49, passed by a vote of 54-9, would increase the penalty for violating this law from a third-degree to a second-degree felony, with a sentence of nine years.
“This legislation will help reduce gun violence and increase accountability for serious, repeat offenders by bringing New Mexico’s penalties more in line with the federal law,” said lead sponsor Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque). “By focusing on dangerous high-risk offenders, while investing in solutions like intelligence-led policing and continuing to address the root causes of crime, we can truly make our communities safer.”
HB 49 now moves to the Senate. Additional sponsors include Reps. Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis) and Senator Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque).
This bill is part of the House Democrats’ broad package of legislation and investments this session to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities. A non-comprehensive list of these legislative priorities is below.
The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year’s 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
Select Community Safety Priorities
A non-comprehensive list of community safety investments and legislation introduced by House Democrats this session includes:
Continuing investments in law enforcement and our communities to address root causes of crime (HB 2)*
Investing in evidence-based diversion programs at CYFD, to help prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in crime and lead those with minor offenses down a better path (HB 2)*
Allocating $2 million for crime-reduction grants through the New Mexico Sentencing Commission (HB 2)*
Appropriating $2 million for intelligence-led policing (HB 2)*
Directing $1.25 million to the Organized Crime Commission (HB 2)*
Making dedicated investments in our justice system, including additional funding to support District Attorneys statewide, expanding Juvenile and Teen Drug Court and adding a family court judge in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District (HB 2)*
Preventing the state from contracting with private ICE detention facilities to detain innocent immigrants, through the Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9)*
Ensuring routine state surveillance data cannot be misused by ICE (SB 40, SB 53)
Addressing juvenile justice proactively, with age-appropriate accountability measures and improved services for at-risk youth (HB 5)
Implementing commonsense gun safety solutions, like closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to have access to firearms (HB 25, HB 49*)
Improving the courts’ ability to proactively intervene if a person suffering from serious mental health issues poses a threat of harm to themself or others (SB 3)*
*Indicates legislation has passed House
###
