The San Francisco Chronicle reported (in an article that is no longer on their website) that an anti-gun group in New Mexico, Americans for Responsible Solutions, issued a warning over the possibility that New Mexico might recognize gun permits from other states.
Americans for Responsible Solutions is the organization founded by Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband following Gifford’s shooting on 2011. ARS warned that if New Mexico accepts the background checks and firearms safety training for people authorized to carry concealed weapons in other states, that it would undermine New Mexico’s rigorous training and screening standards.
Robin Lloyd, director of government affairs for Americans for Responsible Solutions, warned that as many as 25 other states do not meet New Mexico’s requirements. New Mexico could be forced to allow people from other states to carry concealed guns in public places if a bill in the House to allow permits to cross state lines passes. A flier distributed by the group made the dire predictions.
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, the only Republican from New Mexico, is among more than 200 co-sponsors of the House reciprocity bill. Pearce was present at the congressional baseball practice in Washington in June where a gunman shot and wounded several people, but Pearce himself was not hurt.
Greg Blair, a spokesman for Pearce’s campaign for state governor, said concerns about the bill undermining public safety were unfounded
Currently New Mexico has reciprocity with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri Nebraska, Nevada, North and South Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
