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Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House votes 41-27 to approve bill expanding NM's red flag gun law
Feb. 25—SANTA FE — Five years after it was first approved, New Mexico's red flag gun law could be expanded under legislation advancing at the Roundhouse. The House voted 41-27 on Tuesday to approve a bill making several changes to the law, which allows firearms to be temporarily seized from individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. The red flag gun law has divided New Mexico law enforcement officials since its approval in 2020. Most New Mexico sheriffs fiercely opposed the law when it was enacted and vowed not to enforce it, arguing it violated individuals' constitutional rights. But many law enforcement agencies have since grown comfortable with the law, and several top New Mexico State Police officers joined bill sponsors on the House floor on Tuesday as expert witnesses. Rep. Art De La Cruz, D-Albuquerque, pushed back during the debate against Republican questions about rogue law enforcement officers possibly abusing their expanded authority under the bill. "I feel dismayed that we feel confidence in our law enforcement when it's convenient, and not so much confidence when it's not convenient," De La Cruz said. But GOP representatives brought up fundamental concerns about the law, while also seeking unsuccessfully to amend the proposed legislation. Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, pointed out during Tuesday's debate the state does not allow vehicles to be seized from individuals receiving treatment for alcohol addiction. "We do not allow due process (with this law) before someone's property is taken from them," Lord said. Specifically, the bill approved Tuesday, House Bill 12, would clarify that law enforcement officers can directly initiate a court petition — instead of waiting for someone else to contact them. Under the current law, spouses, parents, children and employers are among the parties who are able to ask law enforcement agencies to file a court petition. The legislation would also require that firearms be relinquished immediately upon a judge's order, instead of within 48 hours. Backers said that change would eliminate a potentially dangerous waiting period created by the original law, which Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, described as "illogical." The red flag gun law, officially known as the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act, was approved by lawmakers after several years of debate at the Roundhouse. The law was used sparingly in the two years following its enactment. But utilization of the law increased over the last two years as law enforcement officers have received more training on its workings. Statewide, the number of temporary firearm seizure petitions filed by law enforcement agencies has jumped from three petitions in 2021 to 90 petitions last year, according to bill sponsors. Currently, New Mexico is one of 21 states that have adopted red flag gun laws, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a national group that has pushed for gun safety laws. The Tuesday vote in the House of Representatives broke down largely along party lines, as Rep. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. All House Republicans also voted in opposition. The bill now advances to the Senate with just over three weeks left in this year's 60-day legislative session.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Specialty ‘Iron Horse' motorcycle license plate bill passes first hurdle
Rep. Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque) sits on his 1982 Harley Davidson Shovelhead. (Photo courtesy Art De La Cruz) Asking Rep. Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque) to talk about his 1982 Harley Davidson Shovelhead is like asking him to talk about his children – he's proud and has pictures at the ready. De La Cruz told Source NM that he is particularly proud of his bike because it was made during the first full production year after Harley Davidson bought back the company from American Machine and Foundry. 'I always tell everybody I own a full-blooded Harley,' he said. De La Cruz is sponsoring a bill this session for motorcycle enthusiasts such as himself that would create a new speciality license plate specifically for classic and vintage motorcycles. The 'Iron Horse' license plate would apply to bikes 35 years old or more that are used for vintage vehicle meets, parades or other exhibitions. 'Not your daily driver,' De La Cruz told Source NM, referring to the newer bikes people are more likely to ride day-to-day. House Bill 23 advanced through the House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee Tuesday with a do-pass and will continue on to the House Judiciary Committee. De La Cruz, chair of the House transportation committee, presented the bill to committee members, explaining that the 'Iron Horse' license plate is a way to preserve classic motorcycles in a similar way that the current 'Horseless Carriage' specialty plate does for cars, trucks and other vehicles in the state. He said the new plate will look almost identical to the 'Horseless Carriage' license plates, but with different wording at the bottom. 'It's a little cheaper,' De La Cruz told Source NM, and the registration is good for five years. The bill notes that the plate would cost owners an initial fee of $7 and a $25 registration fee. If a person violates the rules surrounding the special plate, they can be charged $25. According to the fiscal impact report, the Taxation and Revenue Department predicts the 'Iron Horse' plate will cost the department $31,100 and 14 weeks to develop, test and implement it into their system. If passed, the bill will go into effect July 1, 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
