In a rare win for Second Amendment advocates, New Mexico’s ambitious gun ban bill—aimed at outlawing popular semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines—fizzled out without ever reaching the House floor before the legislative session slammed shut. This isn’t just a procedural hiccup; it’s a testament to the grassroots firepower of the 2A community in a deep-blue state. Lawmakers in Santa Fe, fresh off pushing through red-flag laws and other restrictions, couldn’t muster the votes or the time to ram this through, likely spooked by mounting opposition from gun owners, the NRA, and even some moderate Democrats wary of electoral backlash ahead of 2024.

Digging deeper, this bill (HB 102) mirrored failed assaults on AR-15s in states like California and New York, repackaged with assault weapon buzzwords to demonize tools used in hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense by millions of law-abiding New Mexicans. Its collapse highlights a key 2A truth: momentum for bans is stalling as courts shred similar laws post-Bruen. Remember, the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision flipped the script, demanding gun restrictions pass historical muster—something these modern prohibitions spectacularly fail. Here in NM, where rural voters cherish their rifles for everything from coyote control to bear defense, the bill’s sponsors underestimated the backlash, including packed public hearings and a flood of calls that tied up capitol switchboards.

The implications? A breather for gun owners, but don’t pop the champagne yet—this zombie legislation could resurrect in a special session or next year, especially if anti-gun groups like Everytown pour in cash. For the 2A community, it’s a call to arms: double down on voter turnout, support pro-gun candidates like those backed by GOA, and keep the pressure on. New Mexico’s near-miss proves that organized resistance works—let’s build on it nationwide to protect our rights before the next session reloads.