Commentary: New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence thanks Governor Martinez for signing HB336 into law. We also thank Representative Nate Gentry, Senator Ivey Soto and Senator Michael Sanchez for working together to get this important piece of legislation on the governor’s desk.
HB336 requires New Mexico Courts to report mental health records into the National Instant Criminal Background check System (NICS) and makes New Mexico eligible for federal grant money to help support NICS.
“Today demonstrates how our state can work together to pass legislation that protects our families and communities from gun violence. This bipartisan bill will help keep guns out of unsafe hands and protect those who are in danger of hurting themselves with a firearm,” said co-president Miranda Viscoli.
These mental health records are crucial in gun violence prevention as sixty eight percent of gun violence in New Mexico comes from suicide. In 2014, there were 339 deaths from firearms in New Mexico. In 2013, New Mexico had the ninth highest number of deaths per capita in the Untied States.
New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence has worked for four years to get this legislation passed, and we are proud to stand together with our New Mexico legislature to promote gun violence prevention.