Firearm Waiting Period Passes House

Legislation would prevent gun violence by implementing a seven-day cooling off period between firearm purchase and acquisition

Santa Fe, N.M. - Today, the House of Representatives approved common-sense legislation to reduce gun violence by instituting a seven-day waiting period between when an individual purchases and takes ownership of a firearm. House Bill 129 passed the House today with a vote of 37-33, and will now move to the Senate. 

"House Bill 129 will prevent temporary moments of crisis from becoming tragedies. It will also allow law enforcement to run thorough background checks to help keep firearms out of the wrong hands," said lead sponsor Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe). "Waiting periods are a simple, but important step we can take to reduce gun violence and save lives." 

Some of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States were committed with firearms that were purchased only days before, including the Uvalde, Texas shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers, as well as the Pulse Nightclub shooting that killed 49 and injured 53. 

Waiting periods have also been shown to reduce firearm suicides by up to 11% and firearm homicides by up to 17%. They are recommended by FBI experts and supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. 

House Bill 129’s additional sponsors include Reps. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Joseph Cervantez (D-Las Cruces) and Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque). The bill will now move to the Senate. 

The Roundhouse is open to the public for the 2024 session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.   

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