This bill amends Section 30-7-7.3 of the New Mexico Statutes to provide an exemption from the required seven-day waiting period for the sale of firearms for certain individuals. Specifically, the waiting period does not apply to buyers who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm and who fall into one of several categories: certified law enforcement officers, former or retired certified law enforcement officers, commissioned law enforcement officers, or law enforcement officers of an Indian nation, tribe, or pueblo. The bill also clarifies that the waiting period includes the time required to conduct a federal instant background check, and if the check is not completed within twenty days, the seller may proceed with the transfer.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous provision that allowed sales between two law enforcement officers without the waiting period and replaces it with a more detailed definition of eligible buyers. The new language specifies that the exemption applies to individuals who are certified and authorized to carry a firearm under federal law or the Law Enforcement Training Act. The bill also maintains the existing penalties for unlawful sales of firearms before the waiting period ends, which are classified as misdemeanors.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-7-7.3