SB 279 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

GAS-OPERATED SEMIAUTO FIREARMS EXCLUSION ACT

SB 279, the Gas-Operated Semiautomatic Firearms Exclusion Act, bans the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of gas-operated semiautomatic firearms (those using gas pressure to cycle ammunition), large-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds), and rapid-fire devices that increase firing speed. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for new transactions and January 1, 2026, for possession, directly affecting firearm owners and dealers in New Mexico. The bill requires the Attorney General to maintain a list of prohibited firearms and allows exceptions for pre-2025 firearms certified by owners before January 1, 2026, or for government use. It does not affect non-gas-operated semiautomatic firearms or devices designed for .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → JU substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten from its original introduced version into a more comprehensive and detailed substitute version. The new version adds clearer definitions, expands exceptions for lawful possession, establishes a certification process for existing owners, and sets specific implementation timelines for enforcement.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include more detailed definitions of prohibited firearms and ammunition feeding devices, added specific exemptions for certain types of firearms (like single-shot and bolt-action rifles), and created a certification system for lawfully possessed firearms.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for key terms including 'gas-operated,' 'fixed magazine,' 'large-capacity ammunition feeding device,' and 'rapid fire device' with specific technical criteria.

TIMELINE

Established specific implementation dates: July 1, 2025 for import/sale/manufacture prohibitions, January 1, 2026 for possession prohibitions, and October 1, 2025 for certification system development.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new certification process requiring firearm owners to submit forms to licensed dealers or the attorney general to prove lawful ownership of gas-operated semiautomatic firearms.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded exceptions to the ban to include possession of firearms lawfully manufactured before July 1, 2025, transferred before January 1, 2026, or certified by owners who owned them before the ban took effect.

Added specific exemptions for certain firearm types including single-shot rifles, bolt-action rifles, muzzleloading firearms, and handguns with fixed magazines of ten rounds or fewer.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for licensed firearms dealers to mark prohibited firearms and ammunition feeding devices, and established confidentiality protections for owner certification records.

SCOPE

Added provisions for nonresidents to transport firearms into the state under specific conditions and within a 24-hour timeframe.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors