SANTA FE, NM — A controversial new bill, Senate Bill 279 (SB 279), threatens to upend the rights of law-abiding gun owners across New Mexico by enacting some of the most restrictive firearm regulations in the nation. Introduced by a group of Democratic lawmakers, the Gas-Operated Semiautomatic Firearms Exclusion Act would ban the sale, transfer, and possession of nearly all semiautomatic firearms that use gas-operated cycling systems—which includes many of the most common rifles and handguns used for self-defense, hunting, and sport shooting.

If passed, this legislation would:

Failure to comply with these new restrictions could turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals overnight, with violations carrying misdemeanor or felony penalties.

Proponents of the bill argue that restricting access to semiautomatic firearms will reduce violent crime. However, the bill is a thinly veiled attempt to strip New Mexicans of their Second Amendment rights while doing nothing to address the state’s real crime problems.

State Representative Stefani Lord (R-District 22) condemned the bill as “the worst gun grab in the country,”pointing out that it bans firearms already owned by thousands of New Mexicans. She warned that the bill’s vague language could criminalize responsible gun owners and lead to selective enforcement.

Walter Bracken, owner of BMC Tactical in Albuquerque, also criticized the bill, highlighting its sweeping scope. “They want to ban anything gas-operated, including classic firearms like the M1 Carbine and Mini-14—guns that have been in civilian hands for decades. This bill is pure overreach.”

Walter Bracken, owner of @BMCTactical, explains the nonsensical SB 279 language that aims to criminalize a majority of commonly used self defense firearms.

SB 279 is in Senate Judiciary today!

Tune in AND contact your legislator via https://t.co/inarp3FJm1#nmpol #2A pic.twitter.com/PqRek5rMZt

While SB 279’s sponsors claim it does not ban previously owned firearms outright, it forces existing owners to register their guns with the state by January 1, 2026—a move that gun rights groups argue is just the first step toward confiscation.

Under the bill’s provisions:

This is a clear gun registry, something historically used in other countries as a prelude to outright confiscation.

New Mexico currently ranks as one of the most dangerous states in the country, with Albuquerque’s violent crime rate soaring over recent years. Yet, instead of cracking down on criminals, SB 279 targets law-abiding citizens who responsibly own and use firearms for protection.

Law enforcement agencies already struggle to enforce existing gun laws against violent offenders. Instead of addressing gang violence, drug trafficking, and repeat offenders, this bill diverts resources to tracking and policing legal gun owners.

SB 279 is currently in the New Mexico Senate Finance Committee, and gun owners still have time to voice their opposition. If this bill becomes law, it will set a dangerous precedent not just for New Mexico, but for the rest of the country.

The fight for gun rights in New Mexico is far from over, but SB 279 is a serious threat that cannot be ignored. Every New Mexican who values their right to self-defense, hunting, and shooting sports should stand up against this radical and unconstitutional legislation before it’s too late.

Read the original story: New Mexico’s SB 279 Seeks to Ban Most Semiautomatic Rifles, Handguns, and Standard Magazines