Staff Reports
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Mountain State Legal Fund have joined forces to take legal action against a new law in New Mexico that requires a seven-day waiting period for firearms purchases. This law, which recently took effect, mandates that individuals wait an entire week before being able to take possession of a firearm, even if they have passed a background check. The NRA, a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights, sees this law as a violation of citizens’ rights to acquire firearms for self-defense and sporting purposes. The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of New Mexico, is based on the grounds of the Second and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution.
Conservatives File Suit Against Democratic Governor Over What's Happening to Citizens Buying Firearms: The National Rifle Association is teaming up with the Mountain State Legal Fund to challenge a New Mexico law that puts a seven-day waiting period on… https://t.co/QZI5AbWRWZ pic.twitter.com/sYYBzANLSs
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The law in question was signed by Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in March, who expressed the aim of addressing gun violence by preventing firearms from getting into the wrong hands. However, opponents argue that waiting periods do not provide immediate protection for individuals who may urgently need a firearm for self-defense, such as in cases of imminent threats of bodily harm. They also point out that the law does not make exceptions for urgent circumstances, potentially placing individuals at risk during dangerous situations.
The plaintiffs hope to find support for their case in the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which established a standard requiring the government to demonstrate a historical tradition of firearm regulation to support a law in question. This legal challenge is part of a broader effort to push back against what is characterized as a “war on the Second Amendment” in blue states, where stricter gun control measures are being implemented.
Critics argue that waiting periods disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens and may hinder individuals, such as domestic violence victims, from obtaining firearms for self-protection in a timely manner. This issue is particularly relevant in New Mexico, which faces high rates of violent crime. The state has been identified as the most dangerous in the country, further fueling concerns about the potential impact of waiting periods on public safety.
In the face of these developments, the NRA and its allies are taking a stand against what they perceive as unconstitutional infringements on Second Amendment rights. With the lawsuit underway, there is a hope that the law will be halted before it can further impact the ability of New Mexico residents to exercise their right to bear arms.
