SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico state lawmaker is drafting gun safety legislation that would penalize adults for unlocked guns that fall into the hands a minor, leading to injury or death.
Democratic Rep. Linda Trujillo announced Tuesday at a public school board meeting in Santa Fe that she plans to sponsor a child access prevention bill during the 2019 legislative session.
New Mexico currently has no law specifically requiring gun owners to prevent access to firearms by children.
Trujillo, a former school board member, said details of the legislation are still being decided, such as whether it would impose civil or criminal penalties or both. New Mexico's gun laws are under scrutiny in the fall elections for governor.
Lawmakers this year increased the penalty for illegal gun possession by violent felons.