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Senate committee advances bill easing concealed‑carry requirements, lowers minimum age to 19
Summary
Sponsor presented SB507 to shorten training requirements, raise some penalties and lower the concealed-carry permit age to 19, saying the changes would encourage responsible gun ownership.
A sponsor presented Senate Bill 507 as a package of changes to New Mexico's concealed-carry permitting system designed to encourage training and responsible ownership. The sponsor said the package would make the permit process less onerous, align the carry age with handgun ownership in some circumstances and increase penalties for illegal carrying.
Key provisions discussed at the hearing include lowering the minimum age for a concealed-carry permit to 19 (the sponsor said 19‑year‑olds can already lawfully buy certain handguns), reducing the required training curriculum and range proficiency time to shorter intervals, removing statutory reciprocity language so the state can govern its own standards, and increasing the penalty for unlawful carrying on specified premises from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor.
Supporters including some committee members said the bill recognizes responsible gun owners and could expand safety by putting permit training into the hands of more people. Senator Bradley said the bill gives "responsible gun owners" a seat at the policy table and praised the renewal changes. Opponents and some members raised concerns about lowering the age to 19. Senator Stewart and others argued that many school shooters are in that age cohort and that reducing the age could increase risks; they asked for more data on whether lowering the age since prior changes led to any measurable change in crimes by permit holders.
There was also discussion about training hours and whether the six‑hour curriculum would sufficiently cover range proficiency. Committee members requested more data on the training benchmarks in other states and on the relationship between permit-holding and gun crime.
After amendments and debate, the committee gave SB507 a do-pass recommendation as amended. Senators Stewart and Block recorded no votes on the motion; other members voted in the affirmative and the bill advances for further consideration.
