The bill proposes the enactment of a new section in Chapter 30, Article 7 of the New Mexico Statutes, allowing adults aged eighteen and older to carry loaded firearms without a permit, either openly or concealed, provided they are not prohibited by law from doing so. Additionally, the bill clarifies that carrying an unloaded firearm is permissible. It also amends existing definitions and provisions related to the carrying of deadly weapons, specifically excluding firearms from certain definitions and modifying the conditions under which carrying a deadly weapon is considered unlawful.

Furthermore, the bill repeals Sections 30-7-2.2 through 30-7-3, which previously regulated the carrying of firearms. The amendments include changes to the language regarding the unlawful carrying of deadly weapons, specifying that it does not apply to unloaded firearms and updating the terminology to reflect the individual rather than gender-specific terms. The bill also outlines exceptions for peace officers and individuals with valid concealed handgun licenses, while establishing penalties for unlawful carrying.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-7-1, 30-7-2, 30-7-13