New Mexico Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does New Mexico have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. New Mexico does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. Since 2022, private sales require background checks through FFLs. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers. |
| Is New Mexico a Stand Your Ground state? | ⚠️ Partial. Castle Doctrine exists for home defense, but no broad “Stand Your Ground.” |
| What kind of restrictions does New Mexico have? |
|
| Does New Mexico have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No general law, but negligent storage with minor access may be punished. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in New Mexico? | ✅ Yes. No state-imposed limits on number of firearms per purchase. |
| Does New Mexico have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. New Mexico does not have Extreme Risk Protection Orders. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in New Mexico? | 🚫 No. New Mexico does not require firearm registration. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Purchase permits are not required. |
| Does New Mexico have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. No state-imposed waiting period. |
🚫 No. New Mexico does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines.
✅ Yes. Since 2022, private sales require background checks through FFLs.
✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.
⚠️ Partial. Castle Doctrine exists for home defense, but no broad “Stand Your Ground.”
- ℹ️ Permitless open carry (21+) and concealed carry (18+, constitutional carry effective 2023)
- ℹ️ No waiting period
- ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits
- ℹ️ Concealed carry permits optional for reciprocity
⚠️ No general law, but negligent storage with minor access may be punished.
✅ Yes. No state-imposed limits on number of firearms per purchase.
🚫 No. New Mexico does not have Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. New Mexico does not require firearm registration.
🚫 No. Purchase permits are not required.
🚫 No. No state-imposed waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does New Mexico allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal for individuals aged 21 and older without a permit. |
| Does New Mexico allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal permitlessly for anyone 18+ (constitutional carry enacted July 2023). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal without a permit — pepper spray and stun guns allowed. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Permitted in public spaces, private property (with owner consent), and vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Restrictions apply in schools, courthouses, certain government buildings, and anywhere with posted “no firearms” signage. |
| States honored? | ✅ Recognizes carry permits from states that reciprocate with New Mexico. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ New Mexico concealed carry permits are recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 4 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Permits are issued exclusively for handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional, Generally used for reciprocity with other states.
|
✅ Legal for individuals aged 21 and older without a permit.
✅ Legal permitlessly for anyone 18+ (constitutional carry enacted July 2023).
✅ Legal without a permit — pepper spray and stun guns allowed.
✅ Permitted in public spaces, private property (with owner consent), and vehicles.
🚫 Restrictions apply in schools, courthouses, certain government buildings, and anywhere with posted “no firearms” signage.
✅ Recognizes carry permits from states that reciprocate with New Mexico.
✅ New Mexico concealed carry permits are recognized in:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 4 Years.
🚫 No. Permits are issued exclusively for handguns.
ℹ️ Optional, Generally used for reciprocity with other states.
- Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for issuing concealed handgun licenses.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
New Mexico Leadership
- Born: October 24, 1959 (Los Alamos, NM)
- Term Started: January 1, 2019
- Previous Role: Former U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st district
- Born: October 17, 1971 (Sioux City, IA)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Armed Services
- Indian Affairs
- Born: June 7, 1972 (Santa Fe, NM)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2021
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Commerce Science and Transportation