New Mexico Legislature Debates Ban on Semi-Automatics and Magazines Over 10 Rounds

February 5, 2026
7:50 am

▶

Listen to Article

New Mexico's legislature is once again testing the limits of the Second Amendment with SB17, a sweeping bill that would outright ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms and magazines holding more than 10 rounds, while slapping gun shops with crippling new burdens like mandatory serialization tracking and enhanced reporting requirements. This isn't some fringe proposal—it's moving through committee right now, backed by anti-gun groups peddling the same tired assault weapon hysteria that's been debunked time and again. Proponents claim it's about public safety, but let's call it what it is: a blatant attempt to erode the most common rifle platform in America, turning law-abiding owners into criminals overnight for exercising their constitutional rights. Digging deeper, this mirrors failed schemes in states like California and New York, where similar bans have done zilch to curb crime—FBI data shows violent crime rates in those states remain stubbornly high, with criminals ignoring laws they never follow anyway. New Mexico's already grappling with cartel-driven violence along its border, where semi-autos are the tools of choice for self-defense against real threats, not the fantasy mass shootings gun-grabbers obsess over. The bill's magazine cap is especially insidious; it's not just limiting capacity but signaling that lawmakers view your standard AR-15 or pistol as too dangerous for civilians, ignoring Supreme Court precedents like Bruen that demand historical analogs for such restrictions—good luck finding colonial musket bans to justify this. For the 2A community, the implications are crystal clear: this is a canary in the coal mine for red-flag expansion nationwide. If SB17 passes, expect a flood of copycat bills in purple states, further entrenching a patchwork of unconstitutional registries that pave the way for confiscation. Gun owners in New Mexico need to mobilize now—flood your reps with calls, join local rallies, and support orgs like the NRA or GOA pouring resources into this fight. We've beaten back worse; history shows the people prevail when we stand firm. Stay vigilant, armed, and informed—this one's far from over.

Best FFL Software Ranked and Compared!

New Mexico’s legislature is once again testing the limits of the Second Amendment with SB17, a sweeping bill that would outright ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms and magazines holding more than 10 rounds, while slapping gun shops with crippling new burdens like mandatory serialization tracking and enhanced reporting requirements. This isn’t some fringe proposal—it’s moving through committee right now, backed by anti-gun groups peddling the same tired assault weapon hysteria that’s been debunked time and again. Proponents claim it’s about public safety, but let’s call it what it is: a blatant attempt to erode the most common rifle platform in America, turning law-abiding owners into criminals overnight for exercising their constitutional rights.

Digging deeper, this mirrors failed schemes in states like California and New York, where similar bans have done zilch to curb crime—FBI data shows violent crime rates in those states remain stubbornly high, with criminals ignoring laws they never follow anyway. New Mexico’s already grappling with cartel-driven violence along its border, where semi-autos are the tools of choice for self-defense against real threats, not the fantasy mass shootings gun-grabbers obsess over. The bill’s magazine cap is especially insidious; it’s not just limiting capacity but signaling that lawmakers view your standard AR-15 or pistol as too dangerous for civilians, ignoring Supreme Court precedents like Bruen that demand historical analogs for such restrictions—good luck finding colonial musket bans to justify this.

For the 2A community, the implications are crystal clear: this is a canary in the coal mine for red-flag expansion nationwide. If SB17 passes, expect a flood of copycat bills in purple states, further entrenching a patchwork of unconstitutional registries that pave the way for confiscation. Gun owners in New Mexico need to mobilize now—flood your reps with calls, join local rallies, and support orgs like the NRA or GOA pouring resources into this fight. We’ve beaten back worse; history shows the people prevail when we stand firm. Stay vigilant, armed, and informed—this one’s far from over.

Share this story