HB81 would create permitless carry for firearms in New Mexico for adults age 18 and older who are not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law or court order from possessing or carrying a firearm. Under the bill, eligible adults could carry a loaded firearm openly or concealed on their person, and the bill also clarifies that carrying an unloaded firearm remains allowed. The measure is framed as a broad expansion of lawful firearm carry rights and removes the need for a concealed handgun license for ordinary carry by qualifying adults.
The bill also revises several provisions of the Criminal Code to align with permitless carry. It amends the definition of "deadly weapon" so that firearms are excluded from that term, changes the definition of "carrying a deadly weapon" to refer only to non-firearm weapons, and updates the unlawful-carry statute so that it no longer treats concealed loaded firearms as the basis for that offense. In addition, it preserves restrictions on carrying weapons on buses without company approval, while continuing to exempt law enforcement officers and commercial security personnel acting in the lawful discharge of their duties. The bill repeals existing sections of law related to firearm carry and concealed handgun licensing provisions referenced in the repeal clause.
If enacted, HB81 would significantly alter New Mexico’s firearm-carry framework by eliminating the concealed handgun license requirement for most adults and narrowing the criminal statutes that currently regulate carrying firearms. It would affect the Criminal Code, public transportation weapon restrictions, licensed carry rules, and the legal treatment of firearms versus other deadly weapons. The practical effect would be to broaden lawful public carry for adults while leaving intact prohibitions for persons barred from firearm possession and certain location-specific restrictions.
The available context shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented legislative debate in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s content and sponsorship, the measure appears to reflect support for expanded gun rights and reduced permitting requirements. Because no discussion record is included, the balance of support or opposition cannot be measured from the supplied history, but the bill’s subject matter suggests it would likely be controversial among supporters of permitless carry and opponents concerned about public safety and the removal of licensing safeguards.
Notable points of contention likely include the elimination of concealed handgun licensing, the lowering of regulatory barriers for adults to carry loaded firearms openly or concealed, and the decision to exclude firearms from the statutory definition of "deadly weapon." Another likely issue is the interaction with existing public transportation restrictions and whether the bill sufficiently preserves safety-related limits. The bill’s age threshold of 18 and its broad preemption of existing carry offenses may also draw scrutiny from those who favor training, permitting, or stronger screening before public carry.
Impact
HB81 would amend multiple sections of the New Mexico Criminal Code to remove firearms from the definition of "deadly weapon," redefine unlawful carrying provisions so they apply to non-firearm weapons, and repeal existing statutory sections tied to concealed handgun licensing and related carry offenses. It would effectively establish permitless carry for qualifying adults and reduce the role of the concealed handgun license in state law, while leaving in place certain location-based restrictions such as bus carry rules and existing prohibitions for persons barred from firearm possession.
Sentiment
No committee discussion or vote history was provided, so there is no direct record of legislative sentiment in the supplied materials. From the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be a pro-gun-rights proposal intended to expand lawful carry options and reduce permitting requirements. The absence of recorded debate means opposition and support cannot be quantified, but the proposal is the kind that typically draws strong views on both sides.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be whether adults should be allowed to carry loaded firearms openly or concealed without a permit, whether removing firearms from the "deadly weapon" definition weakens criminal enforcement, and whether the bill adequately protects public safety. Critics would likely focus on the loss of licensing and training requirements, while supporters would likely argue that lawful adults should not need a permit to exercise carry rights. The bus-carry restriction and the continued exemptions for law enforcement and security personnel may also be debated as partial safety safeguards.