SANTA FE, NM — Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act, appears to have stalled in the New Mexico Legislature after previously passing the Senate on a 21 to 17 vote.
The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action announced late Tuesday that SB 17 is “dead,” signaling that the sweeping gun control measure will not advance further during the current 30-day session.
SB 17 had proposed banning the sale of .50 caliber rifles and cartridges, magazines holding more than ten rounds, and most gas-operated semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines. The bill also would have imposed extensive new regulatory mandates on federally licensed firearms dealers in the state, including security requirements, reporting obligations, employee training standards, and expanded inspection authority.
After clearing the Democrat-controlled Senate in early February, the measure moved to the House, where it faced mounting opposition from Republican lawmakers, gun rights organizations, and industry advocates. Critics argued the bill would prohibit commonly owned firearms, burden small firearm retailers, and raise constitutional concerns.
In a public statement, the NRA-ILA said:
“A big win for gun owners in New Mexico! Senate Bill 17 is DEAD. This anti-gun bill tried to ban AR & AK platform rifles, .50 BMGs, and standard-capacity magazines.”
The organization credited grassroots activism and constituent outreach for the bill’s apparent defeat.
As of publication, there has been no formal announcement from House leadership detailing the procedural action that halted the bill. However, given the limited timeframe of New Mexico’s 30-day legislative session, measures that fail to advance through committee or reach a floor vote before adjournment are effectively dead for the session.
For New Mexico gun owners and firearms dealers, the development represents a significant pause in what would have been one of the most far-reaching state-level restrictions on commonly owned semiautomatic firearms and standard magazines. While similar proposals could resurface in future sessions, SB 17 will not move forward this year.
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